Bill Text: MS SB2645 | 2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Joint Legislative Study Committee on mental health system; continue authority of.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2010-04-14 - Approved by Governor [SB2645 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2010-SB2645-Enrolled.html

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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2010 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Bryan

Senate Bill 2645

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 1 OF CHAPTER 552, LAWS OF 2009, TO CONTINUE THE EXISTENCE OF THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMITTEE ON IMPROVING THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM IN MISSISSIPPI; TO AUTHORIZE THE JOINT COMMITTEE TO MAKE A REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 1 of Chapter 552, Laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows:

     Section 1.  (1)  There is created a Joint Legislative Study Committee to study and make recommendations for improving the mental health system in Mississippi.  The committee shall, at a minimum, examine the following topics:

          (a)  The current delivery system of mental health services by state, regional and local public entities;

          (b)  The structure of the State Department of Mental Health, including the makeup of the State Board of Mental Health and the qualifications of the executive director of the department;

          (c)  The delivery of mental health services through a community-based system rather than an institutional-based system, focusing on delivery through the community mental health centers; * * *

          (d)  The disparity of services and programs within the different community mental health regions as they are currently comprised;

          (e)  The options and solutions for ongoing and long-term financing of the community mental health system;

          (f)  The organizational structure of the community mental health system, including the makeup of the commissions and the governing authority of each community mental health region; and

          (g)  Any other matters of importance relating to the delivery of mental health services in the state.

     (2)  The joint committee shall be composed of the following ten (10) members:

          (a)  The Chairman of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, who will be the cochairmen of the joint committee;

          (b)  The Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, or his designee;

          (c)  The Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, or his designee;

          (d)  Three (3) senators to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor; and

          (e)  Three (3) representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House.

     (3)  Appointments shall be made within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this section.  The first meeting of the committee shall be held on a day to be designated jointly by the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor.  A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.  In the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of each house shall be required.

     (4)  Members of the committee shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same manner as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session, but only if specifically authorized by the Senate Rules Committee or the House Management Committee, as the case may be; however, no per diem or expense for attending meetings of the committee may be paid while the Legislature is in session. * * *  Members of the committee may receive per diem and expenses when the Legislature is in session but in recess under the terms of a concurrent resolution, or in recess during a special session, but only if specifically authorized by the Senate Rules Committee or the House Management Committee, as the case may be.

     (5)  The committee shall make an initial report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature not later than December 1, 2009 * * *.  The committee shall continue in existence and study the issues specified under this section and shall make a report of its findings and recommendations not later than January 2011, including any recommended legislation.  At the time of submission of its final report, the committee shall be dissolved.

     (6)  (a)  The Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives may jointly appoint not more than twelve (12) members to an advisory council to the joint committee.  The members of the advisory committee appointed in 2009 shall continue to serve in 2010-2011 as long as the committee continues in existence.

          (b)  The members of the advisory council shall either be engaged professionally in rendering mental health services or general medical services or be consumers of mental health services or representatives of those consumers.

          (c)  The advisory council may meet with the Joint Legislative Study Committee and may hold special meetings as deemed necessary.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.