Appropriations panel shifts $500,000 to Community Health Trust Fund for 988 crisis services

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday amended Senate Bill 2200 to direct $500,000 to the Community Health Trust Fund to support 988 crisis stabilization and intervention services, then gave the bill a do-pass recommendation as amended.

Senator Kathy Hogan, who sponsored the bill, told the committee the legislation was introduced to establish a long-term funding stream for suicide-prevention and intervention services, modeled on the fee structure used for 911. "For the record, my name is Kathy Hogan. I represent District 21," Hogan said. She cited a fiscal-note estimate that a cellphone fee model would have generated about $4,500,000 and noted the bill as introduced was intended to stabilize the statewide crisis response system.

Committee members said the amendment — moved by Senator Davison and seconded by Senator Mather — changes the immediate funding source for a $500,000 appropriation from the general fund to the Community Health Trust Fund. That amendment passed on a roll-call. After further discussion the committee gave the…