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House Judiciary backs interim study on prevention for behavioral health services
Summary
SJ 49, an interim study request focused on prevention programs and how to better target funding and coordination of behavioral health services, passed the committee by an 18–0 roll-call vote; sponsor emphasized focusing on proven, grassroots programs.
Sen. Mike Yakawich opened SJ 49 as a focused interim study on prevention within behavioral health, asking the committee to identify what prevention programs currently work in Montana and how limited funds can be targeted to grassroots efforts. He framed prevention as upstream work to reduce downstream crises such as substance abuse and suicide and cited partnerships with DPHHS and prevention specialists, including NAMI.
Yakawich said previous experience working on veterans' suicide-prevention appropriations showed that money can be available but is often not targeted to grassroots organizations; SJ 49 seeks to inventory effective programs and consider how to better concentrate funding on local, evidence-based interventions. Patrick Yawaki (tribal representative) testified in support, saying the study would bring stakeholders together and aggregate data to inform future legislation.
In executive action the committee voted SJ 49 do pass on a roll-call; the clerk reported 18 yes and 0 no. Representative Joy volunteered to carry the resolution to the floor.
