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Committee advances $10 million jail behavioral‑health appropriation to appropriations committee
Summary
The Human Services Committee amended House Bill 13‑37 to permit the Department of Human Services or an authorized agent to contract with private entities to provide jail mental‑health and substance‑use services, and voted to refer the bill to appropriations with a due‑pass recommendation.
The House Human Services Committee on Tuesday amended and advanced House Bill 13‑37, a proposal that would appropriate up to $10 million to provide behavioral‑health services in county jails, saying the funds would be one‑time and designed to collect outcome data for future budgeting.
Representative Anderson, sponsor of the bill, said the appropriation would fund counseling, mental‑health and substance‑use disorder treatment in county jails to bridge gaps until people obtain longer‑term care or vouchers. Committee members discussed whether the appropriation should be continuing; most described it as a one‑time allocation that could be re‑requested in future budgets.
Committee members voted to add language allowing the Department of Human Services or an authorized agent to contract with private entities to provide the services. "The department or an authorized agent may contract with private entities to provide these services," the amendment reads as adopted.
Members debated access for rural counties and how counties would apply for grants. Supporters cited Walsh County's program as a model and said rapid onsite counseling reduces the "revolving door" of repeat arrests. Representative Kiefert and others warned about long‑term local operating costs if the state does not continue funding.
The committee voted by roll call to give HB13‑37 a due‑pass recommendation and to refer it to appropriations; the clerk recorded the motion carrying 13‑0.
