HB 26-1116

HB 26-1116 is a Colorado bill that aims to improve mental health care and support for individuals with behavioral health disorders. It aligns the emergency commitment process for substance abuse and mental health issues, allows courts to require defendants to participate in mental health treatment as part of their discharge plan, and extends the follow-up period after an individual's release from emergency mental health hold from 48 hours to 72 hours. Additionally, it updates licensing requirements for behavioral health entities by allowing certain exceptions for telehealth services and outpatient care facilities. The bill has been signed into law, meaning its provisions are now in effect and being implemented.

Official Summary

After an individual has been discharged from a facility where an individual was held for an emergency mental health hold, current law requires the facility to attempt to follow up with the individual at least 48 hours after discharge. The act extends the time to attempt to follow up with the individual to 72 hours following discharge, excluding weekends and holidays.     The act restricts the behavioral health administration (BHA) from issuing or renewing a license for a behavioral health entity unless the BHA receives a certificate of compliance for the applicant's building or structure from the division of fire prevention and control. The act adds the following exceptions to this requirement:An applicant that provides only telehealth services is not required to receive a certificate of compliance; andAn applicant that provides only outpatient services may receive a certificate of compliance from the division of fire prevention and control based on inspections conducted by a fire department that employs a certified inspector rather than from the division of fire prevention and control.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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