WeVote

Bill

Bill

S 5491

Establishes a mental wellness group pilot program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Ashby

Establishes a mental wellness group pilot program to test group-based services, aiming to improve access, coordination, and outcomes for participants during the pilot.

REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 5491

Summary of Bill S 5491: Establishes a Mental Wellness Group Pilot Program

Overview

  • Bill Number: S 5491
  • Title: Establishes a mental wellness group pilot program
  • Sponsor: Jake Ashby (primary)
  • Introduction date: February 21, 2025
  • Status: REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH
  • Related bills: S 7238 (prior-session)

This bill proposes the creation of a pilot program focused on mental wellness delivered through group formats. The text provided does not include the detailed provisions, so the summary below notes what is known and what remains to be confirmed in the bill text.

Purpose and intent

  • The fundamental purpose is to establish a mental wellness group pilot program. The objective is to test and evaluate a group-based approach to mental wellness services, with the aim of improving access, coordination, and outcomes for participants during the pilot period.

Key provisions (status of text)

  • The specific statutory provisions (parameters, eligible participants, locations, duration, funding mechanisms, oversight, and evaluation metrics) are not included in the information provided.
  • In typical pilot programs of this nature, expected components would include:
    • Definition and scope of the mental wellness groups (e.g., age ranges, demographics, service settings)
    • Program duration and geographic coverage
    • Funding sources and budget details
    • Eligibility criteria and referral pathways
    • Roles for administering agencies and service providers
    • Data collection, reporting requirements, and program evaluation
    • Sunset or review provisions to determine scalability or expansion

Note: The above elements are common for pilot programs but are not specified in the provided bill text.

Who would be affected

  • Directly affected: Participants enrolled in the mental wellness group pilot.
  • Service providers: Entities delivering the group-based mental wellness services.
  • State/participating agencies: Agencies responsible for mental health programs and oversight.
  • Indirectly affected: Communities and stakeholders impacted by the outcomes and potential expansion if the pilot is successful.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced on February 21, 2025 and immediately referred to the Mental Health committee.
  • Legislative actions show two identical referrals on the same date (likely a clerical duplication; no additional action listed).
  • Next steps (not yet occurred in the information provided): Committee hearings and potential amendments, vote in the Mental Health committee, and potential advancement to the floor for consideration. If advanced, subsequent steps would follow the chamber’s standard legislative process.

Observations and next steps

  • To provide a more detailed, thorough summary, the bill’s full text is needed to outline the exact provisions, budget, evaluation plan, and implementation details.
  • Interested readers should monitor committee hearings on the Mental Health panel and review any amended versions of S 5491, as well as any related developments with S 7238 from prior sessions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.