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Committee supports renaming mental health advisory council to Behavioral Health Advisory Council
Summary
Sen. Yakawich sponsored SB 144 to change the Mental Health Advisory Council’s name to Behavioral Health Advisory Council to align with SAMHSA guidance and reflect co-occurring substance-use concerns; DPHHS prevention chief said the council has operated as behavioral health since 2023.
Senator Mike Yakawich asked the committee to approve SB 144, which renames Montana’s Mental Health Advisory Council as the Behavioral Health Advisory Council to better reflect combined substance-use and mental-health planning.
"The bill is to change the mental health advisory council to the behavioral health advisory council," Yakawich said, noting the change follows federal encouragement from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Jamie Hansen, prevention bureau chief for DPHHS’ Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Division, told the committee the council has operated under the behavioral-health name since 2023 and that the change would align state statute and practice, including council composition rules tied to the Mental Health Block Grant.
There was little opposition or extended debate; the sponsor closed and the committee ended the hearing on SB 144.
