63C-18-203. Commission duties — Reporting requirements.
| (1) |
The commission shall:
Terms Used In Utah Code 63C-18-203
| (a) |
identify a method to integrate existing local mental health crisis lines to ensure each individual who accesses a local mental health crisis line is connected to a qualified mental or behavioral health professional, regardless of the time, date, or number of individuals trying to simultaneously access the local mental health crisis line; |
| (b) |
study how to establish and implement a statewide mental health crisis line and a statewide warm line, including identifying:
| (i) |
a statewide phone number or other means for an individual to easily access the statewide mental health crisis line, including a short code for text messaging and a three-digit number for calls; |
| (ii) |
a statewide phone number or other means for an individual to easily access the statewide warm line, including a short code for text messaging and a three-digit number for calls; |
| (iii) |
a supply of:
| (A) |
qualified mental or behavioral health professionals to staff the statewide mental health crisis line; and |
| (B) |
qualified mental or behavioral health professionals or certified peer support specialists to staff the statewide warm line; and |
|
| (iv) |
a funding mechanism to operate and maintain the statewide mental health crisis line and the statewide warm line; |
|
| (c) |
coordinate with local mental health authorities in fulfilling the commission’s duties described in Subsections (1)(a) and (b); |
| (d) |
recommend standards for the certifications described in Section 26B-5-610; and |
| (e) |
coordinate services provided by local mental health crisis lines and mobile crisis outreach teams, as defined in Section 62A-15-1401. |
|
| (2) |
The commission shall study and make recommendations regarding:
| (a) |
crisis line practices and needs, including:
| (i) |
quality and timeliness of service; |
| (ii) |
service volume projections; |
| (iii) |
a statewide assessment of crisis line staffing needs, including required certifications; and |
| (iv) |
a statewide assessment of technology needs; |
|
| (b) |
primary duties performed by crisis line workers; |
| (c) |
coordination or redistribution of secondary duties performed by crisis line workers, including responding to non-emergency calls; |
| (d) |
operating the statewide 988 hotline:
| (i) |
in accordance with federal law; |
| (ii) |
to ensure the efficient and effective routing of calls to an appropriate crisis center; and |
| (iii) |
to directly respond to calls with trained personnel and the provision of acute mental health, crisis outreach, and stabilization services; |
|
| (e) |
opportunities to increase operational and technological efficiencies and effectiveness between 988 and 911, utilizing current technology; |
| (f) |
needs for interoperability partnerships and policies related to 911 call transfers and public safety responses; |
| (g) |
standards for statewide mobile crisis outreach teams, including:
| (i) |
current models and projected needs; |
| (ii) |
quality and timeliness of service; |
| (iii) |
hospital and jail diversions; and |
| (iv) |
staffing and certification; |
|
| (h) |
resource centers, including:
| (i) |
current models and projected needs; and |
| (ii) |
quality and timeliness of service; |
|
| (i) |
policy considerations related to whether the state should:
| (i) |
manage, operate, and pay for a complete behavioral health system; or |
| (ii) |
create partnerships with private industry; and |
|
| (j) |
sustainable funding source alternatives, including:
| (i) |
charging a 988 fee, including a recommendation on the fee amount; |
| (ii) |
General Fund appropriations; |
| (iii) |
other government funding options; |
| (iv) |
private funding sources; |
| (vi) |
insurance partnerships, including coverage for support and treatment after initial call and triage; and |
| (vii) |
other funding resources. |
|
|
| (3) |
The commission may conduct other business related to the commission’s duties described in this section. |
| (4) |
The commission shall consult with the Office of Substance Use and Mental Health regarding:
| (a) |
the standards and operation of the statewide mental health crisis line and the statewide warm line, in accordance with Section 26B-5-610; and |
| (b) |
the incorporation of the statewide mental health crisis line and the statewide warm line into behavioral health systems throughout the state. |
|
| (5) |
Beginning in 2023, by no later than the last interim meeting of the Health and Human Services Interim Committee each year, the commission shall report to the Health and Human Services Interim Committee on the matters described in Subsections (1) and (2), including any recommendations, legislation proposals, and opportunities for behavioral health crisis response system improvement. |
Amended by Chapter 270, 2023 General Session
Amended by Chapter 329, 2023 General Session
