Committee approves bill to enable mental-health diversion pilots in areas of greatest need

Representative Waldron presented House Bill 2248, saying the bill “directs the department [to] address the mental health crisis in areas of greatest need using existing funding pathways” and that the measure would help communities create diversion options and mental-health courts.

During committee questions, Representative Roe asked whether the bill tied to State Question 781; Waldron confirmed that SQ 781 created the county community safety investment fund, which can be used for diversion and mental-health court services. Members raised operational concerns: Representative Marty questioned whether the Mental Health and Substance Abuse department currently has the data and systems to run pilot programs, and whether access to electronic health records (EHRs) or other data-sharing arrangements would be required for evaluation.

Waldron and other supporters said the bill’s intent is to create rulemaking and pathways so counties and existing community partners can implement diversion programs; she described using judicial districts to organize multi-county mental-health courts and stressed the need for qualified personnel in rural areas. Representative Snead and others referenced Muskogee County as an existing model and suggested using that experience to develop pilot parameters.

Committee members discussed funding and timing. Waldron cited a funding pathway created by criminal justice reform savings — roughly $25 million referenced in committee discussion — and noted possible federal funding sources as well. Some members asked that the bill’s title be stricken so sponsors could refine the fiscal language; Waldron agreed. The subcommittee voted 6 ayes and 0 nays to pass HB 2248 and asked sponsors to provide additional fiscal detail and operational plans for implementing pilots in rural counties.

Ending: HB 2248 passed 6–0. Members asked sponsors to produce implementation guidance and fiscal estimates, including options for using existing county or statewide funds and shared-service judicial-district models to expand mental-health court access in rural areas.