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House approves consolidation of state mental‑health and substance‑abuse divisions over objections
Summary
House Bill 5,008 passed the House after debate, consolidating state-level mental health and substance‑abuse administrative divisions while retaining separate line items for budgeting. Critics warned of lost focus and possible staff reductions; sponsors said the change is administrative and expected to save money.
House Bill 5,008, a long bill to consolidate the state divisions for mental health and substance abuse, passed the House after a contentious floor discussion that split lawmakers along lines of administrative efficiency versus programmatic risk.
Sponsor Representative Jack Sites summarized the 78‑page measure as a state‑level consolidation that would eliminate one director post and retain…
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