Oklahoma Senate Bill SB844

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23
• Report Pass: 2/9/23
• Refer: 2/9/23
• Report Pass: 2/22/23
• Engrossed: 3/7/23
• Refer: 3/29/23
• Report Pass: 4/5/23
• Enrolled: 4/26/23
• Passed: 5/2/23

Caption

Mental health; requiring the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to issue certain request for proposals subject to availability of funds; transferring certain duties. Effective date. Emergency.

Impact

The bill modifies existing statutes regarding the management and allocation of the County Community Safety Investment Fund, transferring certain duties to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency. It allocates specified funds based on savings accrued from justice reform initiatives, thereby reinforcing the role of fiscal accountability in the funding process. The legislation aims to ensure that funds are utilized in a manner that best reflects the needs of the community, potentially leading to improved outcomes in local health and safety programming.

Summary

Senate Bill 844 focuses on mental health and substance abuse treatment in Oklahoma, creating a structured framework for the County Community Safety Investment Fund. This fund will enable counties to apply for funding to develop and implement various community-based rehabilitative programs. Eligible programs include mental health and substance abuse treatment, pretrial diversion programs, employment, education, and housing initiatives. The bill emphasizes that funding availability will dictate the issuance of requests for proposals, thus focusing on effective allocation of resources based on need and population.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB 844 appears to be largely positive, particularly among advocates for mental health services who appreciate the structured approach to funding and resource allocation. However, there may be concerns regarding how effectively counties can implement the programs given the potential limitations of funding availability. Overall, the bill is perceived as a step forward in enhancing mental health care and substance abuse treatment at the community level.

Contention

Notable points of contention may revolve around the competitiveness of funding applications and the criteria set by the Department for disbursing funds. The discretion given to the Department in determining the number of awards and the amounts suggests possible unease from some county representatives who may feel underrepresented or overlooked in the funding process. Together with the requirement for compliance and reporting, debates could arise around the administrative burden on smaller counties to effectively manage and report on funded programs.