Subdivision 1.Citation.

Sections 245.491 to 245.495 may be cited as “the children‘s mental health integrated fund.”

Subd. 2.Purpose.

Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 245.491

  • children: includes children by birth or adoption;

    (9) "day" comprises the time from midnight to the next midnight;

    (10) "fiscal year" means the year by or for which accounts are reckoned;

    (11) "hereafter" means a reference to the time after the time when the law containing such word takes effect;

    (12) "heretofore" means a reference to the time previous to the time when the law containing such word takes effect;

    (13) "judicial sale" means a sale conducted by an officer or person authorized for the purpose by some competent tribunal;

    (14) "minor" means an individual under the age of 18 years;

    (15) "money" means lawful money of the United States;

    (16) "night time" means the time from sunset to sunrise;

    (17) "non compos mentis" refers to an individual of unsound mind;

    (18) "notary" means a notary public;

    (19) "now" in any provision of a law referring to other laws in force, or to persons in office, or to any facts or circumstances as existing, relates to the laws in force, or to the persons in office, or to the facts or circumstances existing, respectively, on the effective date of such provision;

    (20) "verified" when used in reference to writings, means supported by oath or affirmation. See Minnesota Statutes 645.45

  • state: extends to and includes the District of Columbia and the several territories. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44

The legislature finds that children with emotional or behavioral disturbances or who are at risk of suffering such disturbances often require services from multiple service systems including mental health, social services, education, corrections, juvenile court, health, and employment and economic development. In order to better meet the needs of these children, it is the intent of the legislature to establish an integrated children’s mental health service system that:

(1) allows local service decision makers to draw funding from a single local source so that funds follow clients and eliminates the need to match clients, funds, services, and provider eligibilities;

(2) creates a local pool of state, local, and private funds to procure a greater medical assistance federal financial participation;

(3) improves the efficiency of use of existing resources;

(4) minimizes or eliminates the incentives for cost and risk shifting; and

(5) increases the incentives for earlier identification and intervention.

The children’s mental health integrated fund established under sections 245.491 to 245.495 must be used to develop and support this integrated mental health service system. In developing this integrated service system, it is not the intent of the legislature to limit any rights available to children and their families through existing federal and state laws.