HB539--FIRSTRESPONDERMENTALHEALTHINITIATIVEACT
SPONSOR: Schwadron
Thisbillestablishesthe"MissouriFirstResponderMentalHealth
InitiativeAct".ThisActestablishestherightsoffirst
responderstoaccessbehavioralhealthcareservicesandresponsive
treatmentandtohavecertainrecordsofsuchtreatmentbedeemed
confidential,asspecifiedinthebill,andshallnotbeshared
withanemployer. Firstrespondersshallhavetherighttoseek
treatmentinanygeographicareawithoutrestrictionsor
limitationsimposedbyanemployerorinsurancecarrierandthe
righttoreceiveexpandedFamilyandMedicalLeaveActprotections
whilevoluntarilyseekingpreventativetreatment. Firstresponders
shallhavetherighttohavetreatmentandlivingquartersin
facilitiesseparatefromotherpatients,aswellasaccessto
behavioralhealthtreatmentforupto36monthsfollowing
retirementregardlessofMedicarerestrictions.
Firstrespondersreceivingbehavioralhealthservicesshallbeable
toseekreimbursementfromthe"FirstResponderBehavioralHealth
GrantProgram"establishedbythisbill,inamountsspecifiedin
thebill.TheDepartmentofMentalHealthshallmakegrantsto
eligiblerecipientstoreimbursebehavioralhealthcareexpenses,
aswellaspeersupporteducation,preventionandawareness
training,software,andotherservices.
Additionally,thisbillestablishesthe"MissouriFirstResponders
MentalHealthTaskForce"withintheDepartmentofPublicSafety,
withspecifiedmembersofthementalhealthandfirstresponder
community,todeveloprecommendations asspecifiedinthebill,
includingaccesstomentalhealthwellnessprogramsand
initiatives,fundingforservices,educationandtrainingprograms.
TheTaskForceshallbeappointedwithin30daysafterthe
effectivedate,andwillbeginmeetingnolaterthan60daysafter
allmembershavebeenappointed.
ThisbillissimilartoSB24(2023).