Sec. 10. (a) This section is effective beginning September 1, 2015.

     (b) The sheriff, in consultation with the county executive or a person designated by the county executive, shall assist an offender who has a mental illness or addictive disorder in securing treatment for the mental illness or for substance abuse addiction, as the authorized representative as described in IC 11-10-3-7 or as a health navigator under the requirements of IC 27-19-2-12, so that the offender might be eligible for treatment when the offender is subsequently released from the county jail or required to receive inpatient psychiatric services while incarcerated to the extent authorized under federal law.

     (c) The sheriff shall provide the assistance described in subsection (b) in sufficient time to ensure that the offender will be able to receive treatment at the time the committed offender is released from the county jail.

     (d) A sheriff shall use a community mental health center (as defined in IC 12-7-2-38) or a provider certified or licensed by the division of mental health and addiction, including a hospital or outreach eligibility worker, to assist with securing treatment for a mental illness or addictive disorder through the Medicaid program under this section.

As added by P.L.185-2015, SEC.8.