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Department of Mental Health seeks $283.1 million in general funds, requests staffing for new 81‑bed forensic unit
Summary
Department of Mental Health briefed appropriators on a FY26 request for $283,092,360 in general funds, including $6.6 million to staff an 81‑bed forensic unit, $2.9 million to enroll 200 people on the IDD waiver planning list, and ARPA‑funded expansions for crisis services.
Miss Bailey, a Department of Mental Health official, told the Joint Appropriations Subcommittee the agency is requesting $283,092,360 in general funds for FY26, an increase of $27,458,644 over the current year, to support forensic services, IDD waiver enrollments, staffing and salary adjustments, and expanded community crisis care.
The agency asked for $6,600,000 specifically to staff and operate a new 81‑bed maximum‑security forensic unit at Mississippi State Hospital, expected to open in spring. "Forensic services keeps Mississippi community safe," Miss Bailey told the committee, and she said additional beds will reduce jail waits for competency restoration and help avoid litigation tied to long pretrial waits.
IDD waiver and institutional needs. DMH requested $2,900,000 to enroll about 200 people from the planning list onto the home‑and‑community‑based…
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