| Old | New | Differences | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | ||
| 2 | 2 | ||
| 3 | 3 | EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW. | |
| 4 | 4 | [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law. | |
| 5 | 5 | Underlining indicates amendments to bill. | |
| 6 | 6 | Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by | |
| 7 | 7 | amendment. | |
| 8 | - | Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments. | |
| 9 | 8 | *hb0962* | |
| 10 | 9 | ||
| 11 | 10 | HOUSE BILL 962 | |
| 12 | - | J1, J3 (5lr2475) | |
| 13 | - | ENROLLED BILL | |
| 14 | - | — Health and Government Operations and Appropriations/Finance — | |
| 15 | - | Introduced by Delegate Pena–Melnyk Delegates Pena–Melnyk, Griffith, Cullison, | |
| 16 | - | Bagnall, Bhandari, Guzzone, Hill, Hutchinson, Kaiser, Kerr, Lopez, | |
| 17 | - | Martinez, Reilly, Rosenberg, Ross, Szeliga, Taveras, Woods, and Woorman | |
| 18 | - | ||
| 19 | - | Read and Examined by Proofreaders: | |
| 20 | - | ||
| 21 | - | _______________________________________________ | |
| 22 | - | Proofreader. | |
| 23 | - | _______________________________________________ | |
| 24 | - | Proofreader. | |
| 25 | - | ||
| 26 | - | Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this | |
| 27 | - | ||
| 28 | - | _______ day of _______________ at ________________________ o’clock, ________M. | |
| 29 | - | ||
| 30 | - | ______________________________________________ | |
| 31 | - | Speaker. | |
| 11 | + | J1, J3 5lr2475 | |
| 12 | + | CF SB 696 | |
| 13 | + | By: Delegate Pena–Melnyk Delegates Pena–Melnyk, Griffith, Cullison, Bagnall, | |
| 14 | + | Bhandari, Guzzone, Hill, Hutchinson, Kaiser, Kerr, Lopez, Martinez, Reilly, | |
| 15 | + | Rosenberg, Ross, Szeliga, Taveras, Woods, and Woorman | |
| 16 | + | Introduced and read first time: January 31, 2025 | |
| 17 | + | Assigned to: Health and Government Operations and Appropriations | |
| 18 | + | Committee Report: Favorable with amendments | |
| 19 | + | House action: Adopted | |
| 20 | + | Read second time: March 15, 2025 | |
| 32 | 21 | ||
| 33 | 22 | CHAPTER ______ | |
| 34 | 23 | ||
| 35 | 24 | AN ACT concerning 1 | |
| 36 | 25 | ||
| 37 | 26 | Public Health – Pediatric Hospital Overstay Patients and Workgroup on 2 | |
| 38 | 27 | Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric Overstays 3 | |
| 39 | 28 | ||
| 40 | 29 | FOR the purpose of specifying that the scope of the Maryland Mental Health and Substance 4 | |
| 41 | 30 | Use Disorder Registry and Referral System includes both private and State inpatient 5 | |
| 42 | 31 | and outpatient mental health and substance use services; requiring the Maryland 6 | |
| 43 | - | Department of Health, in coordination with and the Department of Human Services, 7 | |
| 44 | - | under certain circumstances, to ensure pediatric hospital overstay patients are 8 | |
| 45 | - | placed in the least restrictive setting when clinically indicated and when possible; 9 | |
| 46 | - | authorizing a hospital to concurrently explore in–State and out–of–state placements 10 | |
| 47 | - | for pediatric hospital overstay patients; establishing the requiring the Maryland 11 | |
| 48 | - | Department of Health and the Department of Human Services to establish a 12 | |
| 49 | - | Pediatric Hospital Overstay Coordinator within the Governor’s Office for Children; 13 2 HOUSE BILL 962 | |
| 32 | + | Department of Health, in coordination with the Department of Human Services, to 7 | |
| 33 | + | ensure pediatric hospital overstay patients are placed in the least restrictive setting 8 | |
| 34 | + | when clinically indicated and when possible; authorizing a hospital to concurrently 9 | |
| 35 | + | explore in–State and out–of–state placements for pediatric hospital overstay 10 | |
| 36 | + | patients; establishing the requiring the Maryland Department of Health and the 11 | |
| 37 | + | Department of Human Services to establish a Pediatric Hospital Overstay 12 | |
| 38 | + | Coordinator within the Governor’s Office for Children; requiring the Maryland 13 | |
| 39 | + | Department of Health to conduct a certain study and review of residential treatment 14 | |
| 40 | + | center and respite facility rates; each department; establishing the Workgroup on 15 | |
| 41 | + | Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric Overstays in the State; and generally 16 | |
| 42 | + | relating to pediatric hospital overstay patients and children in unlicensed settings. 17 | |
| 43 | + | ||
| 44 | + | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 18 | |
| 45 | + | Article – Health – General 19 | |
| 46 | + | Section 7.5–802(a) and (d) 20 | |
| 47 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 21 | |
| 48 | + | (2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 22 2 HOUSE BILL 962 | |
| 50 | 49 | ||
| 51 | 50 | ||
| 52 | - | requiring the Maryland Department of Health to conduct a certain study and review 1 | |
| 53 | - | of residential treatment center and respite facility rates; each department; 2 | |
| 54 | - | establishing the Workgroup on Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric 3 | |
| 55 | - | Overstays in the State; and generally relating to pediatric hospital overstay patients 4 | |
| 56 | - | and children in unlicensed settings. 5 | |
| 57 | 51 | ||
| 58 | - | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 6 | |
| 59 | - | Article – Health – General 7 | |
| 60 | - | Section 7.5–802(a) and (d) 8 | |
| 61 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland 9 | |
| 62 | - | (2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 10 | |
| 52 | + | BY adding to 1 | |
| 53 | + | Article – Health – General 2 | |
| 54 | + | Section 19–388 through 19–390 to be under the new part “Part XII. Pediatric 3 | |
| 55 | + | Overstay” 4 | |
| 56 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 5 | |
| 57 | + | (2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 6 | |
| 63 | 58 | ||
| 64 | - | BY adding to 11 | |
| 65 | - | Article – Health – General 12 | |
| 66 | - | Section 19–388 through 19–390 to be under the new part “Part XII. Pediatric 13 | |
| 67 | - | Overstay” 14 | |
| 59 | + | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 7 | |
| 60 | + | Article – State Government 8 | |
| 61 | + | Section 9–2801 9 | |
| 62 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 10 | |
| 63 | + | (2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 11 | |
| 64 | + | ||
| 65 | + | BY adding to 12 | |
| 66 | + | Article – State Government 13 | |
| 67 | + | Section 9–2806 14 | |
| 68 | 68 | Annotated Code of Maryland 15 | |
| 69 | - | ( | |
| 69 | + | (2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 16 | |
| 70 | 70 | ||
| 71 | - | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 17 | |
| 72 | - | Article – State Government 18 | |
| 73 | - | Section 9–2801 19 | |
| 74 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland 20 | |
| 75 | - | (2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 21 | |
| 71 | + | SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 17 | |
| 72 | + | That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 18 | |
| 76 | 73 | ||
| 77 | - | BY adding to 22 | |
| 78 | - | Article – State Government 23 | |
| 79 | - | Section 9–2806 24 | |
| 80 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland 25 | |
| 81 | - | (2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 26 | |
| 74 | + | Article – Health – General 19 | |
| 82 | 75 | ||
| 83 | - | SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 27 | |
| 84 | - | That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 28 | |
| 76 | + | 7.5–802. 20 | |
| 85 | 77 | ||
| 86 | - | Article – Health – General 29 | |
| 78 | + | (a) (1) There is a Maryland Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder 21 | |
| 79 | + | Registry and Referral System in the Department. 22 | |
| 87 | 80 | ||
| 88 | - | 7.5–802. 30 | |
| 81 | + | (2) The purpose of the Registry and Referral System is to provide a 23 | |
| 82 | + | statewide system through which health care providers can identify and access available 24 | |
| 83 | + | PRIVATE AND STATE inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance use services 25 | |
| 84 | + | for patients in a seamless manner. 26 | |
| 89 | 85 | ||
| 90 | - | (a) (1) There is a Maryland Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder 31 | |
| 91 | - | Registry and Referral System in the Department. 32 | |
| 86 | + | (3) Subject to the availability of funds, the Department shall develop and 27 | |
| 87 | + | implement the Registry and Referral System, in collaboration with the State–designated 28 | |
| 88 | + | Health Information Exchange. 29 | |
| 92 | 89 | ||
| 93 | - | (2) The purpose of the Registry and Referral System is to provide a 33 | |
| 94 | - | statewide system through which health care providers can identify and access available 34 | |
| 95 | - | PRIVATE AND STATE inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance use services 35 | |
| 96 | - | for patients in a seamless manner. 36 | |
| 90 | + | (4) The Registry and Referral System shall include: 30 | |
| 91 | + | ||
| 92 | + | (i) A searchable inventory of any PRIVATE OR STATE provider of 31 | |
| 93 | + | mental health and substance use disorder services, including inpatient, crisis, and 32 | |
| 94 | + | outpatient services; 33 | |
| 97 | 95 | HOUSE BILL 962 3 | |
| 98 | 96 | ||
| 99 | 97 | ||
| 100 | - | ( | |
| 101 | - | ||
| 102 | - | ||
| 98 | + | (ii) The capability to allow a provider of mental health and substance 1 | |
| 99 | + | use disorder services to update registry information including the real–time availability of 2 | |
| 100 | + | services; and 3 | |
| 103 | 101 | ||
| 104 | - | (4) The Registry and Referral System shall include: 4 | |
| 102 | + | (iii) An electronic referral system that is available to any health care 4 | |
| 103 | + | provider in the State to facilitate electronic referrals to mental health and substance use 5 | |
| 104 | + | disorder providers. 6 | |
| 105 | 105 | ||
| 106 | - | (i) A searchable inventory of any PRIVATE OR STATE provider of 5 | |
| 107 | - | mental health and substance use disorder services, including inpatient, crisis, and 6 | |
| 108 | - | outpatient services; 7 | |
| 106 | + | (d) Each PRIVATE AND STATE hospital shall ensure the availability of staff to 7 | |
| 107 | + | identify appropriate and available services for patients in the hospital who are in need of 8 | |
| 108 | + | mental health or substance use disorder services and to assist the patient in accessing the 9 | |
| 109 | + | services. 10 | |
| 109 | 110 | ||
| 110 | - | (ii) The capability to allow a provider of mental health and substance 8 | |
| 111 | - | use disorder services to update registry information including the real–time availability of 9 | |
| 112 | - | services; and 10 | |
| 111 | + | 19–386. RESERVED. 11 | |
| 113 | 112 | ||
| 114 | - | (iii) An electronic referral system that is available to any health care 11 | |
| 115 | - | provider in the State to facilitate electronic referrals to mental health and substance use 12 | |
| 116 | - | disorder providers. 13 | |
| 113 | + | 19–387. RESERVED. 12 | |
| 117 | 114 | ||
| 118 | - | (d) Each PRIVATE AND STATE hospital shall ensure the availability of staff to 14 | |
| 119 | - | identify appropriate and available services for patients in the hospital who are in need of 15 | |
| 120 | - | mental health or substance use disorder services and to assist the patient in accessing the 16 | |
| 121 | - | services. 17 | |
| 115 | + | PART XII. PEDIATRIC OVERSTAY. 13 | |
| 122 | 116 | ||
| 123 | - | 19– | |
| 117 | + | 19–388. 14 | |
| 124 | 118 | ||
| 125 | - | 19–387. RESERVED. 19 | |
| 119 | + | (A) IN THIS PART, “PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE 15 | |
| 120 | + | THE MEANING S INDICATED. 16 | |
| 126 | 121 | ||
| 127 | - | PART XII. PEDIATRIC OVERSTAY. 20 | |
| 122 | + | (B) “COORDINATORS ” MEANS THE PEDIATRIC OVERSTAY COORDINATOR IN 17 | |
| 123 | + | THE DEPARTMENT AND THE PE DIATRIC OVERSTAY COO RDINATOR IN THE 18 | |
| 124 | + | DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES. 19 | |
| 128 | 125 | ||
| 129 | - | 19–388. 21 | |
| 126 | + | (C) “PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PATIENT ” MEANS A PATIENT UNDE R 20 | |
| 127 | + | THE AGE OF 22 YEARS WHO REMAINS IN AN INPATIENT UNIT OR EMERGENCY 21 | |
| 128 | + | DEPARTMENT OF A HOSP ITAL FOR MORE THAN 24 48 HOURS AFTER BEING 22 | |
| 129 | + | MEDICALLY CLEARED FO R DISCHARGE OR TRANS FER. 23 | |
| 130 | 130 | ||
| 131 | - | (A) IN THIS PART, “PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE 22 | |
| 132 | - | THE MEANING S INDICATED. 23 | |
| 131 | + | 19–389. 24 | |
| 133 | 132 | ||
| 134 | - | (B) “COORDINATORS ” MEANS THE PEDIATRIC OVERSTAY COORDINATOR IN 24 | |
| 135 | - | THE DEPARTMENT AND THE PE DIATRIC OVERSTAY COO RDINATOR IN THE 25 | |
| 136 | - | DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES. 26 | |
| 133 | + | (A) THE DEPARTMENT , IN COORDIN ATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF 25 | |
| 134 | + | HUMAN SERVICES, SHALL ENSURE THAT A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL O VERSTAY 26 | |
| 135 | + | PATIENT IS TRANSFERR ED TO AND TREATED IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIV E SETTING 27 | |
| 136 | + | WHEN CLINICALLY INDI CATED AND WHEN POSSIBLE. 28 | |
| 137 | 137 | ||
| 138 | - | (C) “PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PATIENT ” MEANS A PATIENT UNDE R 27 | |
| 139 | - | THE AGE OF 22 YEARS WHO REMAINS IN AN INPATIENT UNIT OR EMERGENCY 28 | |
| 140 | - | DEPARTMENT OF A HOSP ITAL FOR MORE THAN 24 48 HOURS AFTER BEING 29 | |
| 141 | - | MEDICALLY CLEARED FO R DISCHARGE OR TRANS FER. 30 | |
| 142 | - | ||
| 143 | - | 19–389. 31 | |
| 144 | - | 4 HOUSE BILL 962 | |
| 138 | + | (B) IF A PEDIATRIC HOSPIT AL OVERSTAY PATIENT REMAINS IN THE 29 | |
| 139 | + | HOSPITAL FOR MORE TH AN 48 HOURS AND THE REGIST RY ESTABLISHED UNDER § 30 | |
| 140 | + | 7.5–802 OF THIS ARTICLE INDI CATES THAT AN APPROP RIATE INPATIENT BED IS 31 | |
| 141 | + | AVAILABLE, THE HOSPITAL SHALL S EEK THE TRANSFER TO MAINTAIN THE CLINICA L 32 | |
| 142 | + | STABILITY OF THE PAT IENT. 33 4 HOUSE BILL 962 | |
| 145 | 143 | ||
| 146 | 144 | ||
| 147 | - | (A) (1) THE DEPARTMENT , IN COORDINATION WITH TH E DEPARTMENT 1 | |
| 148 | - | OF HUMAN SERVICES, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS 2 | |
| 149 | - | SUBSECTION, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENSURE THAT A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL 3 | |
| 150 | - | OVERSTAY PATIENT IS TRANSFERRED TO AND T REATED IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE 4 | |
| 151 | - | SETTING WHEN CLINICALL Y INDICATED AND WHEN POSSIBLE. 5 | |
| 152 | 145 | ||
| 153 | - | (2) THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, IN COORDINATION WITH 6 | |
| 154 | - | THE DEPARTMENT , SHALL ENSURE THAT A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL O VERSTAY 7 | |
| 155 | - | PATIENT WHO IS A CHI LD COMMITTED TO THE CARE AND CUSTODY OF THE 8 | |
| 156 | - | DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES IS TRANSFERRED TO AND T REATED IN THE 9 | |
| 157 | - | LEAST RESTRICTIVE SE TTING WHEN CLINICALL Y INDICATED AND WHEN POSSIBLE. 10 | |
| 146 | + | (C) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY O THER PROVISION OF LA W, TO ENSURE THAT 1 | |
| 147 | + | A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PATIENT IS TREATED IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE 2 | |
| 148 | + | SETTING, A HOSPITAL MAY CONCU RRENTLY EXPLORE IN –STATE AND 3 | |
| 149 | + | OUT–OF–STATE PLACEMENT OPTI ONS. 4 | |
| 158 | 150 | ||
| 159 | - | (B) IF A PEDIATRIC HOSPIT AL OVERSTAY PATIENT REMAINS IN THE 11 | |
| 160 | - | HOSPITAL FOR MORE TH AN 48 HOURS AND THE REGIST RY ESTABLISHED UNDER § 12 | |
| 161 | - | 7.5–802 OF THIS ART ICLE INDICATES THAT AN APPROPRIATE INPAT IENT BED IS 13 | |
| 162 | - | AVAILABLE, THE HOSPITAL SHALL S EEK THE TRANSFER TO MAINTAIN THE CLINICA L 14 | |
| 163 | - | STABILITY OF THE PAT IENT. 15 | |
| 151 | + | 19–390. 5 | |
| 164 | 152 | ||
| 165 | - | (C) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY O THER PROVISION OF LA W, TO ENSURE THAT 16 | |
| 166 | - | A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PATIENT IS TREATED IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE 17 | |
| 167 | - | SETTING, A HOSPITAL MAY CONCU RRENTLY EXPLORE IN –STATE AND 18 | |
| 168 | - | OUT–OF–STATE PLACEMENT OPTI ONS. 19 | |
| 153 | + | (A) THE DEPARTME NT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES 6 | |
| 154 | + | SHALL ESTABLISH A PE DIATRIC HOSPITAL OVE RSTAY COORDINATOR WI THIN EACH 7 | |
| 155 | + | DEPARTMENT . 8 | |
| 169 | 156 | ||
| 170 | - | 19–390. 20 | |
| 157 | + | (B) THE COORDINATORS SHAL L ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF A PEDIATRI C 9 | |
| 158 | + | OVERSTAY PATIENT BY COORDINATING BETWEEN HOSPITALS, RELEVANT STATE 10 | |
| 159 | + | AGENCIES AND PROGRAM S, AND PROVIDERS OF MEN TAL HEALTH AND SUBST ANCE 11 | |
| 160 | + | USE DISORDER SERVICE S. 12 | |
| 171 | 161 | ||
| 172 | - | (A) THE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES 21 | |
| 173 | - | SHALL ESTABLISH A PE DIATRIC HOSPITAL OVE RSTAY COORDINATOR WI THIN EACH 22 | |
| 174 | - | DEPARTMENT . 23 | |
| 162 | + | (C) THE COORDINATORS SHAL L: 13 | |
| 175 | 163 | ||
| 176 | - | (B) THE COORDINATORS SHAL L ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF A PEDIATRI C 24 | |
| 177 | - | OVERSTAY PATIENT BY COORDINATING BETWEEN HOSPITALS, RELEVANT STATE 25 | |
| 178 | - | AGENCIES AND PROGRAM S, AND PROVIDERS OF MEN TAL HEALTH AND SUBST ANCE 26 | |
| 179 | - | USE DISORDER SERVICE S. 27 | |
| 164 | + | (1) ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL O VERSTAY 14 | |
| 165 | + | PATIENTS WHILE MAINT AINING APPROPRIATE P ATIENT CONFIDENTIALI TY; 15 | |
| 180 | 166 | ||
| 181 | - | (C) THE COORDINATORS SHALL : 28 | |
| 167 | + | (2) REVIEW POLICIES AND PROC EDURES OF RELEVANT STATE 16 | |
| 168 | + | AGENCIES AND MAKE RE COMMENDATIONS FOR NE CESSARY CHANGES TO T HE 17 | |
| 169 | + | POLICIES AND PROCEDU RES TO BETTER SERVE PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL O VERSTAY 18 | |
| 170 | + | PATIENTS; 19 | |
| 182 | 171 | ||
| 183 | - | ( | |
| 184 | - | ||
| 172 | + | (3) MAINTAIN DATA ON EACH PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL O VERSTAY 20 | |
| 173 | + | PATIENT, INCLUDING: 21 | |
| 185 | 174 | ||
| 186 | - | (2) REVIEW POLICIES AND P ROCEDURES OF RELEVAN T STATE 31 | |
| 187 | - | AGENCIES AND MAKE RE COMMENDATIONS FOR NE CESSARY CHANGES TO THE 32 | |
| 188 | - | POLICIES AND PROCEDU RES TO BETTER SERVE PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL O VERSTAY 33 | |
| 189 | - | PATIENTS; 34 | |
| 175 | + | (I) PATIENT’S LENGTH OF STAY ; 22 | |
| 176 | + | ||
| 177 | + | (II) THE RESPONSIBLE STATE AGENCY, IF APPLICABLE; 23 | |
| 178 | + | ||
| 179 | + | (III) SERVICES NEEDED ; 24 | |
| 180 | + | ||
| 181 | + | (IV) PLACEMENT OPTIONS BEI NG SOUGHT BY THE PAT IENT; 25 | |
| 182 | + | ||
| 183 | + | (V) INFORMATION REGARDING PREVIOUS HOSPITAL 26 | |
| 184 | + | ADMISSIONS FOR A BEH AVIORAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS ; AND 27 | |
| 185 | + | ||
| 186 | + | (VI) ANY OTHER RELEVANT DA TA; AND 28 | |
| 190 | 187 | HOUSE BILL 962 5 | |
| 191 | 188 | ||
| 192 | 189 | ||
| 193 | - | ( | |
| 194 | - | ||
| 190 | + | (4) REPORT ON THE DATA CO LLECTED UNDER THIS S UBSECTION TO 1 | |
| 191 | + | THE SECRETARY AND THE SECRETARY OF HUMAN SERVICES. 2 | |
| 195 | 192 | ||
| 196 | - | (I) PATIENT’S LENGTH OF STAY ; 3 | |
| 193 | + | (A) (1) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, THE GOVERNOR MAY INCLUDE IN THE 3 | |
| 194 | + | ANNUAL BUDGET BILL AN APPROPRIATION SUF FICIENT TO FILL ALL POSITIONS 4 | |
| 195 | + | AUTHORIZED FOR A REGIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN 5 | |
| 196 | + | THE STATE. 6 | |
| 197 | 197 | ||
| 198 | - | (II) THE RESPONSIBLE STATE AGENCY, IF APPLICABLE; 4 | |
| 198 | + | (2) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER , 7 | |
| 199 | + | THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE ANNUAL BUDG ET BILL AN APPROPRIA TION 8 | |
| 200 | + | SUFFICIENT TO FILL A LL POSITIONS AUTHORI ZED FOR A REGIONAL INSTITUTE FOR 9 | |
| 201 | + | CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN THE STATE. 10 | |
| 199 | 202 | ||
| 200 | - | (III) SERVICES NEEDED ; 5 | |
| 203 | + | (B) THE GOVERNOR MAY USE FUND S DESIGNATED FOR THE ADOLESCENT 11 | |
| 204 | + | HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PROGRAM FOR THE PURPO SES IDENTIFIED IN SU BSECTION 12 | |
| 205 | + | (A) OF THIS SECTION. 13 | |
| 201 | 206 | ||
| 202 | - | ||
| 207 | + | Article – State Government 14 | |
| 203 | 208 | ||
| 204 | - | (V) INFORMATION REGARDING PREVIOUS HOSPITAL 7 | |
| 205 | - | ADMISSIONS FOR A BEH AVIORAL HEALTH DIAGN OSIS; AND 8 | |
| 209 | + | 9–2801. 15 | |
| 206 | 210 | ||
| 207 | - | ( | |
| 211 | + | (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 16 | |
| 208 | 212 | ||
| 209 | - | ( | |
| 210 | - | ||
| 213 | + | (B) “COORDINATOR ” MEANS THE PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY 17 | |
| 214 | + | COORDINATOR WITHIN TH E GOVERNOR’S OFFICE FOR CHILDREN. 18 | |
| 211 | 215 | ||
| 212 | - | ( | |
| 213 | - | ||
| 214 | - | ||
| 215 | - | THE | |
| 216 | + | [(b)] (C) “Eligible neighborhood” means a neighborhood that includes census 19 | |
| 217 | + | tracts with more than 30% of children living in poverty and is served by, as defined by the 20 | |
| 218 | + | Office, a community school with a concentration of poverty level, as defined in § 5–223 of 21 | |
| 219 | + | the Education Article, of: 22 | |
| 216 | 220 | ||
| 217 | - | (2) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER , 16 | |
| 218 | - | THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE ANNUAL BUDG ET BILL AN APPROPRIA TION 17 | |
| 219 | - | SUFFICIENT TO FILL A LL POSITIONS AUTHORI ZED FOR A REGIONAL INSTITUTE FOR 18 | |
| 220 | - | CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN THE STATE. 19 | |
| 221 | + | (1) in fiscal year 2025 and 2026, at least 80%; 23 | |
| 221 | 222 | ||
| 222 | - | (B) THE GOVERNOR MAY USE FUND S DESIGNATED FOR THE ADOLESCENT 20 | |
| 223 | - | HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PROGRAM FOR THE PURPO SES IDENTIFIED IN SU BSECTION 21 | |
| 224 | - | (A) OF THIS SECTION. 22 | |
| 223 | + | (2) in fiscal year 2027 through fiscal year 2029, at least 75%; 24 | |
| 225 | 224 | ||
| 226 | - | ||
| 225 | + | (3) in fiscal year 2030, at least 60%; and 25 | |
| 227 | 226 | ||
| 228 | - | ||
| 227 | + | (4) in fiscal year 2031, and each fiscal year thereafter, at least 55%. 26 | |
| 229 | 228 | ||
| 230 | - | ( | |
| 229 | + | [(c)] (D) “Fund” means the ENOUGH Grant Fund. 27 | |
| 231 | 230 | ||
| 232 | - | (B) “COORDINATOR ” MEANS THE PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY 26 | |
| 233 | - | COORDINATOR WITHIN TH E GOVERNOR’S OFFICE FOR CHILDREN. 27 | |
| 231 | + | [(d)] (E) “Office” means the Governor’s Office for Children. 28 | |
| 234 | 232 | ||
| 235 | - | ||
| 236 | - | ||
| 233 | + | (F) “PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OV ERSTAY PATIENT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED 29 | |
| 234 | + | IN § 19–388 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE. 30 6 HOUSE BILL 962 | |
| 237 | 235 | ||
| 238 | 236 | ||
| 239 | - | Office, a community school with a concentration of poverty level, as defined in § 5–223 of 1 | |
| 240 | - | the Education Article, of: 2 | |
| 241 | 237 | ||
| 242 | - | (1) in fiscal year 2025 and 2026, at least 80%; 3 | |
| 238 | + | [(e)] (G) “Program” means the Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, 1 | |
| 239 | + | Governments, and Households (ENOUGH) Grant Program. 2 | |
| 243 | 240 | ||
| 244 | - | (2) in fiscal year 2027 through fiscal year 2029, at least 75%; 4 | |
| 241 | + | [(f)] (H) “Special Secretary” means the Special Secretary of the Governor’s 3 | |
| 242 | + | Office for Children. 4 | |
| 245 | 243 | ||
| 246 | - | ||
| 244 | + | 9–2806. 5 | |
| 247 | 245 | ||
| 248 | - | (4) in fiscal year 2031, and each fiscal year thereafter, at least 55%. 6 | |
| 246 | + | (A) THERE IS A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY COORDINATOR WITHIN 6 | |
| 247 | + | THE OFFICE. 7 | |
| 249 | 248 | ||
| 250 | - | [(c)] (D) “Fund” means the ENOUGH Grant Fund. 7 | |
| 249 | + | (B) THE COORDINATOR SHALL ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF A PEDIATRIC 8 | |
| 250 | + | HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PA TIENT BY COORDINATIN G BETWEEN RELEVANT STATE 9 | |
| 251 | + | AGENCIES AND PROGRAM S, INCLUDING PUBLIC BEH AVIORAL H EALTH CARE 10 | |
| 252 | + | COORDINATION PROGRAM S. 11 | |
| 251 | 253 | ||
| 252 | - | [(d)] (E) “Office” means the Governor’s Office for Children. 8 | |
| 254 | + | (C) (1) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2026, THE OFFICE AND THE 12 | |
| 255 | + | COORDINATOR SHALL ENT ER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WIT H THE 13 | |
| 256 | + | MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, 14 | |
| 257 | + | AND ANY OTHER RELEVA NT STATE AGENCY FOR THE SHARIN G AND STORAGE OF 15 | |
| 258 | + | INFORMATION AND DATA RELATED TO PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PA TIENTS 16 | |
| 259 | + | IN THE STATE. 17 | |
| 253 | 260 | ||
| 254 | - | (F) “PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OV ERSTAY PATIENT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED 9 | |
| 255 | - | IN § 19–388 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE. 10 | |
| 261 | + | (2) THE MEMORANDUM OF UND ERSTANDING SHALL GOV ERN THE 18 | |
| 262 | + | ACCESS, USE, MAINTENANCE , DISCLOSURE, AND REDISCLOSURE OF PROTECTED 19 | |
| 263 | + | HEALTH INFOR MATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL AND STATE LAW, 20 | |
| 264 | + | INCLUDING THE FEDERA L HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND 21 | |
| 265 | + | ACCOUNTABILITY ACT. 22 | |
| 256 | 266 | ||
| 257 | - | [(e)] (G) “Program” means the Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, 11 | |
| 258 | - | Governments, and Households (ENOUGH) Grant Program. 12 | |
| 267 | + | (D) THE COORDINATOR SHALL : 23 | |
| 259 | 268 | ||
| 260 | - | [(f)] (H) “Special Secretary” means the Special Secretary of the Governor’s 13 | |
| 261 | - | Office for Children. 14 | |
| 269 | + | (1) WORK INDEPENDENTLY A ND IMPARTIALLY , WHILE MAINTAINING 24 | |
| 270 | + | APPROPRIATE PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY , TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF 25 | |
| 271 | + | PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL O VERSTAY PATIENTS ; 26 | |
| 262 | 272 | ||
| 263 | - | 9–2806. 15 | |
| 273 | + | (2) REVIEW POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF RELEVA NT STATE 27 | |
| 274 | + | AGENCIES AND MAKE RE COMMENDATIONS FOR NE CESSARY CHANGES TO T HE 28 | |
| 275 | + | POLICIES OR PROCEDUR ES TO BETTER SERVE P EDIATRIC HOSPITAL OV ERSTAY 29 | |
| 276 | + | PATIENTS; AND 30 | |
| 264 | 277 | ||
| 265 | - | (A) THERE IS A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY COORDINATOR WITHIN 16 | |
| 266 | - | THE OFFICE. 17 | |
| 267 | - | ||
| 268 | - | (B) THE COORDINATOR SHALL ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF A PEDIATRIC 18 | |
| 269 | - | HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PA TIENT BY COORDINATIN G BETWEEN RELEVANT STATE 19 | |
| 270 | - | AGENCIES AND PROGRAM S, INCLUDING PUBLIC BEH AVIORAL HEALTH CARE 20 | |
| 271 | - | COORDINATION PROGRAM S. 21 | |
| 272 | - | ||
| 273 | - | (C) (1) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2026, THE OFFICE AND THE 22 | |
| 274 | - | COORDINATOR SHALL ENT ER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERS TANDING WITH THE 23 | |
| 275 | - | MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, 24 | |
| 276 | - | AND ANY OTHER RELEVA NT STATE AGENCY FOR THE SHARING AND STORAGE OF 25 | |
| 277 | - | INFORMATION AND DATA RELATED TO PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY PA TIENTS 26 | |
| 278 | - | IN THE STATE. 27 | |
| 279 | - | ||
| 280 | - | (2) THE MEMORANDUM OF UND ERSTANDING SHALL GOV ERN THE 28 | |
| 281 | - | ACCESS, USE, MAINTENANCE , DISCLOSURE, AND REDISCLOSURE OF PROTECTED 29 | |
| 282 | - | HEALTH INFORMATION I N ACCORDANCE WITH FE DERAL AND STATE LAW, 30 HOUSE BILL 962 7 | |
| 278 | + | (3) MAINTAIN DATA ON EAC H PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY 31 | |
| 279 | + | PATIENT, INCLUDING: 32 HOUSE BILL 962 7 | |
| 283 | 280 | ||
| 284 | 281 | ||
| 285 | - | INCLUDING THE FEDERA L HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND 1 | |
| 286 | - | ACCOUNTABILITY ACT. 2 | |
| 287 | 282 | ||
| 288 | - | ( | |
| 283 | + | (I) THE PATIENT’S LENGTH OF STAY ; 1 | |
| 289 | 284 | ||
| 290 | - | (1) WORK INDEPENDENTLY A ND IMPARTIALLY , WHILE MAINTAINING 4 | |
| 291 | - | APPROPRIATE PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY , TO ADVOCATE ON BEHAL F OF 5 | |
| 292 | - | PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL O VERSTAY PATIENTS ; 6 | |
| 285 | + | (II) THE RESPONSIBLE STATE AGENCY, IF APPLICABLE; 2 | |
| 293 | 286 | ||
| 294 | - | (2) REVIEW POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF RELEVA NT STATE 7 | |
| 295 | - | AGENCIES AND MAKE RECOMMENDAT IONS FOR NECESSARY C HANGES TO THE 8 | |
| 296 | - | POLICIES OR PROCEDUR ES TO BETTER SERVE P EDIATRIC HOSPITAL OV ERSTAY 9 | |
| 297 | - | PATIENTS; AND 10 | |
| 287 | + | (III) SERVICES NEEDED ; 3 | |
| 298 | 288 | ||
| 299 | - | (3) MAINTAIN DATA ON EAC H PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OVERSTAY 11 | |
| 300 | - | PATIENT, INCLUDING: 12 | |
| 289 | + | (IV) PLACEMENT OPTIONS BE ING SOUGHT BY THE PA TIENT; 4 | |
| 301 | 290 | ||
| 302 | - | (I) THE PATIENT’S LENGTH OF STAY ; 13 | |
| 291 | + | (V) INFORMATION REGARDIN G PREVIOUS HOSPITAL 5 | |
| 292 | + | ADMISSIONS FOR A BEH AVIORAL HEALTH DIAGN OSIS; AND 6 | |
| 303 | 293 | ||
| 304 | - | ( | |
| 294 | + | (VI) ANY OTHER RELEVANT D ATA. 7 | |
| 305 | 295 | ||
| 306 | - | (III) SERVICES NEEDED ; 15 | |
| 296 | + | (E) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 EACH YEAR, BEGINNING IN 2026, THE 8 | |
| 297 | + | COORDINATOR SHALL REP ORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE W ITH § 9 | |
| 298 | + | 2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE , THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSE 10 | |
| 299 | + | HEALTH AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE ON THE NUMB ER OF 11 | |
| 300 | + | PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL O VERSTAY PATIENTS IN THE STATE AND DE –IDENTIFIED 12 | |
| 301 | + | INFORMATION RELATED TO ACTION PLANS IN P LACE TO ACHIEV E APPROPRIATE 13 | |
| 302 | + | PLACEMENT . 14 | |
| 307 | 303 | ||
| 308 | - | | |
| 304 | + | SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 15 | |
| 309 | 305 | ||
| 310 | - | (V) INFORMATION REGARDIN G PREVIOUS HOSPITAL 17 | |
| 311 | - | ADMISSIONS FOR A BEH AVIORAL HEALTH DIAGN OSIS; AND 18 | |
| 306 | + | (a) The Maryland Department of Health shall: 16 | |
| 312 | 307 | ||
| 313 | - | (VI) ANY OTHER RELEVANT DATA. 19 | |
| 308 | + | (1) review the reimbursement rates paid to residential treatment centers 17 | |
| 309 | + | and respite care facilities in the State and determine the reimbursement rate that would 18 | |
| 310 | + | be necessary to cover the cost of care and prevent future bed closures in residential 19 | |
| 311 | + | treatment centers and respite care facilities in the State; and 20 | |
| 314 | 312 | ||
| 315 | - | (E) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 EACH YEAR, BEGINNING IN 2026, THE 20 | |
| 316 | - | COORDINATOR SHALL REP ORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 21 | |
| 317 | - | 2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE , THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSE 22 | |
| 318 | - | HEALTH AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE ON THE N UMBER OF 23 | |
| 319 | - | PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL O VERSTAY PATIENTS IN THE STATE AND DE –IDENTIFIED 24 | |
| 320 | - | INFORMATION RELATED TO ACTION PLANS IN P LACE TO ACHIEVE APPR OPRIATE 25 | |
| 321 | - | PLACEMENT . 26 | |
| 313 | + | (2) study the implementation of a prospective payment model for 21 | |
| 314 | + | residential treatment centers and respite care facilities in the State with the goal of 22 | |
| 315 | + | incentivizing the expansion of residential treatment center and respite care facility capacity 23 | |
| 316 | + | in the State. 24 | |
| 322 | 317 | ||
| 323 | - | SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 27 | |
| 318 | + | (b) On or before December 1, 2025, the Department shall report the findings and 25 | |
| 319 | + | recommendations from the review and study conducted under subsection (a) of this section 26 | |
| 320 | + | to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the 27 | |
| 321 | + | Senate Finance Committee and the House Health and Government Operations Committee. 28 | |
| 324 | 322 | ||
| 325 | - | (a) The Maryland Department of Health shall: 28 | |
| 326 | - | ||
| 327 | - | (1) review the reimbursement rates paid to residential treatment centers 29 | |
| 328 | - | and respite care facilities in the State and determine the reimbursement rate that would 30 8 HOUSE BILL 962 | |
| 323 | + | SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 29 | |
| 324 | + | 8 HOUSE BILL 962 | |
| 329 | 325 | ||
| 330 | 326 | ||
| 331 | - | be necessary to cover the cost of care and prevent future bed closures in residential 1 | |
| 332 | - | treatment centers and respite care facilities in the State; and 2 | |
| 327 | + | (a) (1) In this section, “child in an unlicensed setting” means an individual 1 | |
| 328 | + | under the age of 21 years in an out–of–home placement who is residing in a hotel, an office 2 | |
| 329 | + | building, a shelter, or any other unlicensed setting. 3 | |
| 333 | 330 | ||
| 334 | - | (2) study the implementation of a prospective payment model for 3 | |
| 335 | - | residential treatment centers and respite care facilities in the State with the goal of 4 | |
| 336 | - | incentivizing the expansion of residential treatment center and respite care facility capacity 5 | |
| 337 | - | in the State. 6 | |
| 331 | + | (2) “Child in an unlicensed setting” does not include an individual under 4 | |
| 332 | + | the age of 21 years who is receiving a self–independent living stipend, living with kin 5 | |
| 333 | + | awaiting approval for a placement, or on aftercare with a parent. 6 | |
| 338 | 334 | ||
| 339 | - | (b) On or before December 1, 2025, the Department shall report the findings and 7 | |
| 340 | - | recommendations from the review and study conducted under subsection (a) of this section 8 | |
| 341 | - | to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the 9 | |
| 342 | - | Senate Finance Committee and the House Health and Government Operations Committee. 10 | |
| 335 | + | (b) (1) There is a Workgroup on Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric 7 | |
| 336 | + | Hospital Overstays in the State. 8 | |
| 343 | 337 | ||
| 344 | - | SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 11 | |
| 338 | + | (2) The Workgroup shall consist of representatives who have experience 9 | |
| 339 | + | and knowledge of working with children with behavioral health challenges, adverse 10 | |
| 340 | + | childhood experiences, and developmental disabilities, including: 11 | |
| 345 | 341 | ||
| 346 | - | (a) (1) In this section, “child in an unlicensed setting” means an individual 12 | |
| 347 | - | under the age of 21 years in an out–of–home placement who is residing in a hotel, an office 13 | |
| 348 | - | building, a shelter, or any other unlicensed setting. 14 | |
| 342 | + | (i) the Secretary of Health, or the Secretary’s designee; 12 | |
| 349 | 343 | ||
| 350 | - | (2) “Child in an unlicensed setting” does not include an individual under 15 | |
| 351 | - | the age of 21 years who is receiving a self–independent living stipend, living with kin 16 | |
| 352 | - | awaiting approval for a placement, or on aftercare with a parent. 17 | |
| 344 | + | (ii) the Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary’s designee; 13 | |
| 353 | 345 | ||
| 354 | - | (b) (1) There is a Workgroup on Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric 18 | |
| 355 | - | Hospital Overstays in the State. 19 | |
| 346 | + | (iii) the Secretary of Juvenile Services, or the Secretary’s designee; 14 | |
| 356 | 347 | ||
| 357 | - | (2) The Workgroup shall consist of representatives who have experience 20 | |
| 358 | - | and knowledge of working with children with behavioral health challenges, adverse 21 | |
| 359 | - | childhood experiences, and developmental disabilities, including: 22 | |
| 348 | + | (iv) the State Public Defender, or the State Public Defender’s 15 | |
| 349 | + | designee; and 16 | |
| 360 | 350 | ||
| 361 | - | ( | |
| 351 | + | (v) the following members, appointed by the Governor: 17 | |
| 362 | 352 | ||
| 363 | - | (ii) the Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary’s designee; 24 | |
| 353 | + | 1. one representative of the Maryland Association of 18 | |
| 354 | + | Resources for Families and Youth; 19 | |
| 364 | 355 | ||
| 365 | - | | |
| 356 | + | 2. one representative of Disability Rights Maryland; 20 | |
| 366 | 357 | ||
| 367 | - | | |
| 368 | - | ||
| 358 | + | 3. one representative of the Community Behavioral Health 21 | |
| 359 | + | Association of Maryland; 22 | |
| 369 | 360 | ||
| 370 | - | | |
| 361 | + | 4. one representative of Maryland Legal Aid; 23 | |
| 371 | 362 | ||
| 372 | - | | |
| 373 | - | ||
| 363 | + | 5. one representative of the Court Appointed Special 24 | |
| 364 | + | Advocates of Maryland; 25 | |
| 374 | 365 | ||
| 375 | - | 2. one representative of Disability Rights Maryland; 31 | |
| 366 | + | 6. one representative of the National Association of Social 26 | |
| 367 | + | Workers – Maryland who is a hospital–based clinical social worker; 27 | |
| 368 | + | ||
| 369 | + | 7. one representative of the Maryland Chapter of the 28 | |
| 370 | + | American Academy of Pediatrics; 29 | |
| 371 | + | ||
| 372 | + | 8. one representative of the Maryland Hospital Association; 30 | |
| 376 | 373 | HOUSE BILL 962 9 | |
| 377 | 374 | ||
| 378 | 375 | ||
| 379 | - | 3. one representative of the Community Behavioral Health 1 | |
| 380 | - | Association of Maryland; 2 | |
| 376 | + | 9. one representative of a specialty psychiatric hospital; 1 | |
| 381 | 377 | ||
| 382 | - | 4. one representative of Maryland Legal Aid; 3 | |
| 378 | + | 10. one representative of a residential treatment provider in 2 | |
| 379 | + | the State; and 3 | |
| 383 | 380 | ||
| 384 | - | | |
| 385 | - | ||
| 381 | + | 11. one representative of a family of a child in foster care, as 4 | |
| 382 | + | defined in § 8–101(h) of the Human Services Article. 5 | |
| 386 | 383 | ||
| 387 | - | | |
| 388 | - | ||
| 384 | + | (3) The members of the Workgroup shall elect the chair and vice chair of 6 | |
| 385 | + | the Workgroup. 7 | |
| 389 | 386 | ||
| 390 | - | | |
| 391 | - | ||
| 387 | + | (4) The Workgroup shall meet before August 1, 2025, and at least once 8 | |
| 388 | + | every 30 days thereafter. 9 | |
| 392 | 389 | ||
| 393 | - | 8. one representative of the Maryland Hospital Association; 10 | |
| 390 | + | (5) The State Council on Child Abuse and Neglect shall provide staff for 10 | |
| 391 | + | the Workgroup. 11 | |
| 394 | 392 | ||
| 395 | - | | |
| 393 | + | (6) A member of the Workgroup: 12 | |
| 396 | 394 | ||
| 397 | - | | |
| 398 | - | ||
| 395 | + | (i) may not receive compensation as a member of the Workgroup; 13 | |
| 396 | + | but 14 | |
| 399 | 397 | ||
| 400 | - | | |
| 401 | - | ||
| 398 | + | (ii) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard 15 | |
| 399 | + | State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 16 | |
| 402 | 400 | ||
| 403 | - | (3) The members of the Workgroup shall elect the chair and vice chair of 16 | |
| 404 | - | the Workgroup. 17 | |
| 401 | + | (c) (1) The Workgroup shall: 17 | |
| 405 | 402 | ||
| 406 | - | (4) The Workgroup shall meet before August 1, 2025, and at least once 18 | |
| 407 | - | every 30 days thereafter. 19 | |
| 403 | + | (i) complete an assessment of the number, type, and cost of the 18 | |
| 404 | + | additional beds and supportive services needed to place all children in pediatric overstays 19 | |
| 405 | + | and other unlicensed settings in the least restrictive settings; 20 | |
| 408 | 406 | ||
| 409 | - | (5) The State Council on Child Abuse and Neglect shall provide staff for 20 | |
| 410 | - | the Workgroup. 21 | |
| 407 | + | (ii) develop a comprehensive and sustainable resource development 21 | |
| 408 | + | plan designed to increase the number of licensed settings and end the use of pediatric 22 | |
| 409 | + | overstays and unlicensed settings; 23 | |
| 411 | 410 | ||
| 412 | - | (6) A member of the Workgroup: 22 | |
| 411 | + | (iii) develop an implementation plan with comprehensive data to 24 | |
| 412 | + | inform the plan; and 25 | |
| 413 | 413 | ||
| 414 | - | ( | |
| 415 | - | ||
| 414 | + | (iv) determine the anticipated timeline for when the practice of 26 | |
| 415 | + | placing children in unlicensed settings will cease. 27 | |
| 416 | 416 | ||
| 417 | - | (ii) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard 25 | |
| 418 | - | State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 26 | |
| 417 | + | (2) On or before October 1, 2025, the Workgroup shall report its findings 28 | |
| 418 | + | and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State 29 | |
| 419 | + | Government Article, the General Assembly. 30 | |
| 419 | 420 | ||
| 420 | - | (c) (1) The Workgroup shall: 27 | |
| 421 | - | ||
| 422 | - | (i) complete an assessment of the number, type, and cost of the 28 | |
| 423 | - | additional beds and supportive services needed to place all children in pediatric overstays 29 | |
| 424 | - | and other unlicensed settings in the least restrictive settings; 30 | |
| 425 | - | 10 HOUSE BILL 962 | |
| 421 | + | SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That for fiscal year 2026, the 31 | |
| 422 | + | Governor may include in the annual budget bill an appropriation necessary to staff five 32 10 HOUSE BILL 962 | |
| 426 | 423 | ||
| 427 | 424 | ||
| 428 | - | (ii) develop a comprehensive and sustainable resource development 1 | |
| 429 | - | plan designed to increase the number of licensed settings and end the use of pediatric 2 | |
| 430 | - | overstays and unlicensed settings; 3 | |
| 425 | + | additional beds at the John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents in 1 | |
| 426 | + | the State. 2 | |
| 431 | 427 | ||
| 432 | - | | |
| 433 | - | ||
| 428 | + | SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 2 of this Act shall take 3 | |
| 429 | + | effect June 1, 2025. 4 | |
| 434 | 430 | ||
| 435 | - | | |
| 436 | - | ||
| 431 | + | SECTION 3. 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That , except as provided in 5 | |
| 432 | + | Section 4 of this Act, this Act shall take effect July 1, 2025. 6 | |
| 437 | 433 | ||
| 438 | - | (2) On or before October 1, 2025, the Workgroup shall report its findings 8 | |
| 439 | - | and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State 9 | |
| 440 | - | Government Article, the General Assembly. 10 | |
| 441 | - | ||
| 442 | - | SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That for fiscal year 2026, the 11 | |
| 443 | - | Governor may include in the annual budget bill an appropriation necessary to staff five 12 | |
| 444 | - | additional beds at the John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents in 13 | |
| 445 | - | the State. 14 | |
| 446 | - | ||
| 447 | - | SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 2 Sections 1 and 3 of 15 | |
| 448 | - | this Act shall take effect June July 1, 2025. 16 | |
| 449 | - | ||
| 450 | - | SECTION 3. 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That , except as provided in 17 | |
| 451 | - | Section 4 of this Act, this Act shall take effect July June 1, 2025. 18 | |
| 452 | 434 | ||
| 453 | 435 | ||
| 454 | 436 | ||
| 455 | 437 | Approved: | |
| 456 | 438 | ________________________________________________________________________________ | |
| 457 | 439 | Governor. | |
| 458 | 440 | ________________________________________________________________________________ | |
| 459 | 441 | Speaker of the House of Delegates. | |
| 460 | 442 | ________________________________________________________________________________ | |
| 461 | 443 | President of the Senate. |