Committee approves resolution to study inpatient and community services for people with neurological conditions linked to incarceration and homelessness

The House Human Services Committee on an unspecified date approved House Concurrent Resolution 3029, a resolution requesting legislative management consider an interim study of inpatient services, community-based services and existing waivers for the treatment and support of people with neurological conditions that produce behavioral symptoms associated with incarceration, inappropriate placements or homelessness.

Representative Gretchen Dobrevitch, the resolution sponsor, said the constituent-driven request would focus on service availability and gaps for people with brain injuries, autism and other neurological disorders whose behavioral symptoms contribute to recidivism, frequent hospitalization and chronic homelessness. "It's estimated that 60 percent of incarcerated people have a traumatic brain injury," Dobrevitch said in committee testimony.

Committee members discussed past studies on behavioral health and acknowledged those studies often focused on substance-use disorder and mental health broadly, not specifically on neurological disorders with behavioral components. Members said some people with neurological disorders do not meet the functional or IQ criteria for developmental-disability services and therefore lack access to supports that might prevent repeated hospitalizations or homelessness.

Representative Hawley moved that the committee give the resolution a do-pass recommendation and place it on the consent calendar; the motion was seconded and the roll call recorded the committee’s recommendation as 12 yes, 0 no, 1 absent.

Supporters said the study could identify service gaps and potential solutions, including how county pilots or private-sector initiatives might fill needs. Committee members suggested innovation opportunities and noted that prior interim studies had led to policy responses in other areas of behavioral health.