Overview: HB 6951, AN ACT CONCERNING CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 593, Introduced February 13, 2025
Purpose and Intent: This bill aims to improve the availability and quality of children's behavioral health services in the state by requiring the Department of Children and Families to conduct a comprehensive study and make recommendations for system-wide improvements.
Key Provisions:
- Directs the Department of Children and Families to conduct a statewide assessment of children's behavioral health services, including an analysis of service gaps, workforce challenges, and funding needs
- Requires the department to convene a stakeholder working group to provide input and recommendations for improving the children's behavioral health system
- Mandates the department to submit a report to the legislature with its findings and proposed policy and funding solutions within 18 months
Affected Parties and Impacts:
- Children and families in need of behavioral health services, who may benefit from improved access and quality of care
- Providers of children's behavioral health services, who may be impacted by any changes to funding, regulations, or workforce development initiatives
- State and local government agencies, which may need to allocate additional resources to implement the recommended improvements
Procedural and Timeline Considerations:
- The bill has been placed on the Senate calendar and is currently under consideration by the legislature
- If passed, the Department of Children and Families would have 18 months to complete the study and submit its report to the legislature
