Panel divided over bill to let Life Skills Transition Center temporarily serve non‑DD youth in crisis

The House Human Services Committee heard Senate Bill 2112, a proposal to permit the Life Skills and Transition Center (LSTC) in Grafton to admit “noneligible” minors — that is, minor residents who do not meet eligibility for developmental disability (DD) services — for short-term crisis stabilization. The bill would add a noneligible definition to statute, allow stays of up to 90 days with a possible 90‑day extension, require the DHHS commissioner and LSTC superintendent to concur on any admission of a noneligible youth, and impose a sunset on the authority on June 30, 2027, plus semiannual reports to legislative management.

Why it matters: Supporters told the committee that human service zones face recurring placement crises in which children with complex, multilayered needs have no appropriate community placements, sometimes remaining in zone offices, hotels or other temporary settings. Proponents argued LSTC is a state-operated safety-net resource that can provide short-term stabilization and multidisciplinary planning, allowing zones time to secure longer-term placements or community supports.

Supporters’ testimony: Jessica Thomason, executive director for the Human Services Division at DHHS, said the measure targets a small number of youth with very complex behavioral, developmental or psychiatric needs who…