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Council discusses Bill 4,323 on Crisis Intervention Team; MOU talks and advisory group remain central
Summary
Councilmembers and staff discussed Bill 4,323, which would codify co-location and create an advisory group for crisis intervention teams; the council paused on formal action pending an MOU between MCPD and DHHS and additional work-group follow-up.
Council members used the second half of the joint session to continue discussion of Bill 4,323, the proposal to formalize a Montgomery County Crisis Intervention Team model and create a multi-stakeholder advisory body to monitor implementation and report annually.
Legislative staff summarized the bill's principal features: codifying co-location and collaboration between Montgomery County Police Department personnel and DHHS behavioral-health staff for responses that have a public-safety component, and establishing an advisory group tied to the sequential intercept mapping work. "As I understand it, due to ongoing collaborations with the bill sponsor and other council members, some of the intents of the bill are evolving and being fine-tuned," said Ms. Wellens, legislative staff.
Bill sponsor Councilmember Lutke said the bill's aim is to ensure sustainable operations beyond pilot phases and to provide clear oversight: "The goal is to make sure this work continues when we're all not here," Lutke said. Participants noted the county has already taken operational steps including co-location on Picard Drive and awarded federal funding to bolster capacity.
Captain Satinski and other public-safety speakers described a $750,000 federal earmark intended to support training, equipment and co-responder capacity; officials said the funds will be used for advanced CIT training, sensory equipment for specialized transport vehicles, and contracts for co-responder therapists who can accompany CIT officers.
Council members and staff emphasized the current preference to finalize an MOU between MCPD and DHHS rather than immediately codifying detailed operational statutes. Ms. Wellens said the county attorney's office, HHS and MCPD planned an Oct. 4 meeting to work on the MOU. The council did not vote on the bill; members agreed to reconvene after work groups complete further SIM recommendations and after the MOU work advances.
Outcome: No formal action taken on Bill 4,323 during this session; council committed to additional briefings and to revisit the measure in the new year.
