<section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-101" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>“Addictive disorder” means a chronic disorder of the brain’s reward–activation system in which the individual pathologically pursues reward or relief by substance use or other behaviors, with diminished control, and the individual persists in the behavior despite adverse consequences.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Addictive disorder” includes gambling, which is the only nonsubstance–related addictive disorder recognized by Maryland law.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Administration” means the Behavioral Health Administration.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Behavioral health” includes substance–related disorders, addictive disorders, and mental disorders.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Behavioral health care” includes prevention, screening, early intervention, treatment, recovery, support, wraparound, and rehabilitation services, for individuals with substance–related disorders, addictive disorders, mental disorders, or a combination of these disorders.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Behavioral health program” means a substance–related disorders program, a mental health program, or an addictive disorders program, or a program that consists of more than one of these programs.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Core service agency” means the designated county or multicounty authority that is responsible for planning, managing, and monitoring publicly funded mental health services.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Director” means the Director of the Administration.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Family support services” means a set of nonclinical activities provided by family members of individuals with mental health or substance–related disorders and addictive disorders to support individuals with mental health or substance–related disorders and addictive disorders or their families.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>“Local addictions authority” means the designated county or multicounty authority that is responsible for planning, managing, and monitoring publicly funded substance–related disorders and addictive disorder services.</text> </level> <level label="k"> <text>“Local behavioral health authority” means the designated county or multicounty authority that is responsible for planning, managing, and monitoring publicly funded mental health, substance–related disorder, and addictive disorder services.</text> </level> <level label="l"> <level label="1"> <text>“Mental disorder” means a behavioral or emotional illness that results from a psychiatric disorder.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Mental disorder” includes a mental illness that so substantially impairs the mental or emotional functioning of an individual as to make care or treatment necessary or advisable for the welfare of the individual or for the safety of the person or property of another.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Mental disorder” does not include an intellectual disability.</text> </level> </level> <level label="m"> <text>“Mental health program” means a set of services that consists of community–based treatment, care, or rehabilitation services, or any combination of these, for individuals with a mental disorder.</text> </level> <level label="n"> <text>“Peer support services” means a set of nonclinical activities provided by individuals in recovery from mental disorders, substance–related disorders, or addictive disorders who use their personal, lived experiences and training to support other individuals with mental disorders, substance–related disorders, or addictive disorders.</text> </level> <level label="o"> <text>“Recovery residence” means a service that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Provides alcohol–free and illicit–drug–free housing to individuals with substance–related disorders or addictive disorders or co–occurring mental disorders and substance–related disorders or addictive disorders; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Does not include clinical treatment services.</text> </level> </level> <level label="p"> <level label="1"> <text>“Substance–related disorder” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>An alcohol use disorder, alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, alcohol misuse, alcohol intoxication, or alcohol withdrawal;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A nonalcohol substance use disorder, drug dependence, drug misuse, nonalcohol substance induced intoxication, or nonalcohol substance withdrawal; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Any combination of the disorders listed in items (i) and (ii) of this paragraph.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Substance–related disorder” includes substance use disorders and substance induced disorders.</text> </level> </level> <level label="q"> <text>“Substance–related disorders program” means a set of services that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Are community–based, including those services provided by the State or any of its political subdivisions; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Consist of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Any combination of treatment, care, or rehabilitation for individuals with a substance–related disorder; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Education for individuals known to be at risk of developing substance–related disorders.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-201" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Behavioral Health Administration"> <text>There is a Behavioral Health Administration in the Department. </text> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-202" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Behavioral Health Administration"> <level label="a"> <text>The head of the Administration is the Director and shall be appointed by the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Director serves at the pleasure of the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Director is entitled to the salary provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-203" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Behavioral Health Administration"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Director exercises the powers, duties, and responsibilities of office subject to the authority of the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Director shall report to the Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Secretary may exercise any power or perform any duty of the Administration.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-204" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Behavioral Health Administration"> <level label="a"> <text>The Director is responsible for carrying out the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Administration.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In addition to the powers set forth elsewhere in this title, the Director may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Within the amounts made available by appropriation or grant, make any agreement or joint financial arrangement to do or have done anything necessary, desirable, or proper to carry out the purposes of this title and Titles 8 and 10 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Organize and manage the Administration in a manner that will enable it best to discharge the duties of the Administration;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Appoint the number of assistant directors and staff provided for in the State budget;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Remove an assistant director for incompetence or misconduct; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Unless expressly provided otherwise by law, assign to any subordinate unit or individual in the Administration any function that is imposed by law on the Director.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In addition to the duties set forth elsewhere in this title, the Director shall do anything necessary or proper to carry out the scope of this title and Titles 8 and 10 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>It is the policy of the State that the Director may collaborate with other State agencies to promote coordinated care and treatment of individuals who have behavioral health disorders.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-205" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Behavioral Health Administration"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary shall provide facilities for the care and treatment of individuals who have mental disorders.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Administration shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Supervise the custody, care, and treatment of individuals in State facilities who have mental disorders;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Provide oversight of community–based services for persons with behavioral health disorders; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Establish programs for research and development of care and treatment for individuals who have behavioral health disorders.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Administration may provide funds for a public or nonprofit organization to carry out pilot or demonstration projects relating to individuals who have behavioral health disorders.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Secretary shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this title and Titles 8 and 10 of this article, including provisions for the issuance of licenses.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-205.1" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Behavioral Health Administration"> <level label="a"> <text>The Administration may establish an outpatient civil commitment pilot program to allow for the release of an individual who is involuntarily admitted for inpatient treatment under § 10–632 of this article on condition of the individual’s admission into the pilot program.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the Administration establishes a pilot program under subsection (a) of this section, the Administration shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Adopt criteria an individual must meet in order to be admitted into the pilot program;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Establish application, hearing, and notice requirements;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Specify the rights of an individual who may be or who has been admitted into the pilot program;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Allow an eligible individual to request enrollment into the pilot program; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Allow an immediate family member of an eligible individual to request that the individual be voluntarily enrolled into the pilot program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the Administration establishes a pilot program under subsection (a) of this section, on or before December 1 each year the pilot program is in existence, the Administration shall submit to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Health and Government Operations Committee, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, a report that includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The number of individuals admitted into the pilot program during the immediately preceding 12–month period;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The number of applications for admission into the pilot program submitted during the immediately preceding 12–month period;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The cost of administering the pilot program for the immediately preceding 12–month period;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>For individuals admitted into the program voluntarily and involuntarily:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The percentage of individuals admitted into the pilot program who adhered to the treatment plan established for the individual under the pilot program;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Treatment outcomes; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The type, intensity, and frequency of services provided to individuals admitted into the pilot program; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Any other information that may be useful in determining whether a permanent outpatient civil commitment program should be established.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-206" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Behavioral Health Administration"> <text>No otherwise–qualified individual with a behavioral health disorder, solely by reason of the individual’s status as an individual with a behavioral health disorder, shall be denied the services of, or be subjected to discrimination by, any public or private hospital or community–based treatment program.</text> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-207" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Behavioral Health Administration"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the Administration shall establish crisis treatment centers that provide individuals who are in a mental health or substance use disorder crisis with access to clinical staff who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Perform assessments and level of care determinations 24 hours a day and 7 days a week; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Connect the individuals to care immediately.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>At least one crisis treatment center shall be established on or before June 1, 2018.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Administration shall establish the crisis treatment centers required under subsection (a) of this section in a manner that is consistent with the strategic plan developed by the Behavioral Health Advisory Council, as required by Chapters 405 and 406 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2016.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>On or before September 1, 2017, and on or before September 1 each year thereafter until the Administration establishes the crisis treatment centers required under subsection (a) of this section, the Administration shall submit, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, a report on the status of the establishment of crisis treatment centers under this section to the Joint Committee on Behavioral Health and Opioid Use Disorders.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-208" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Behavioral Health Administration"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Mobile crisis team” has the meaning stated in § 10–1401 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Program” means the Behavioral Health Crisis Response Grant Program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>There is a Behavioral Health Crisis Response Grant Program in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The purpose of the Program is to provide funds to local jurisdictions to establish and expand community behavioral health crisis response systems.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department shall administer the Program.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Program shall award competitive grants to local behavioral health authorities to establish and expand behavioral health crisis response programs and services that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Serve local behavioral health needs for children, adults, and older adults;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Meet national standards;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Integrate the delivery of mental health and substance use treatment; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Connect individuals to appropriate community–based care in a timely manner on discharge.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Funds distributed to a local behavioral health authority under the Program:</text> <level label="i"> <text>May be used to establish or expand behavioral health crisis response programs and services, such as:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Mobile crisis teams;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On–demand walk–in services;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Crisis residential beds; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Other behavioral health crisis programs and services that the Department considers eligible for Program funds; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, any other funding for behavioral health crisis response programs and services.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A local behavioral health authority may submit a proposal requesting Program funding to the Department.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>In awarding grants under this section, the Department shall prioritize proposals that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Make use of more than one funding source;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Demonstrate efficiency in service delivery through regionalization, integration of the behavioral health crisis program or service with existing public safety and emergency resources, and other strategies to achieve economies of scale;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Serve all members of the immediate community with cultural competency and appropriate language access;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Commit to gathering feedback from the community on an ongoing basis and improving service delivery continually based on this feedback;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Demonstrate strong partnerships with community services that include family member and consumer advocacy organizations and regional stakeholders;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Evidence a plan of linking individuals in crisis to peer support and family support services after stabilization; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Evidence a strong plan for integration into the existing behavioral health system of care and supports to provide seamless aftercare.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>In awarding grants under this section, the Department shall require that proposals contain response standards that prioritize mobile crisis units over law enforcement when responding to individuals in crisis.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>For each service or program that receives funding under the Program, a local behavioral health authority shall report to the Department and make available to the public all:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Outcome measurement data required by the Department; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Public feedback received from the community through a combination of surveys, public comments, town hall meetings, and other methods.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>The Department shall establish:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Application procedures;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A statewide system of outcome measurement to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Assess the effectiveness and adequacy of behavioral health crisis response services and programs; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Produce data that shall be:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Collected, analyzed, and publicly reported back at least annually; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Disaggregated by race, gender, age, and zip code;</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Guidelines that require programs to bill third–party insurers and, when appropriate, the Maryland Medical Assistance Program; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Any other procedures or criteria necessary to carry out this section.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Governor shall include in the annual operating budget bill the following amounts for the Program:</text> <level label="1"> <text>$3,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>$4,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>$5,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>$5,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>$5,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>$5,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2029.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Beginning in fiscal year 2023, at least one–third of the appropriation required under subsection (e) of this section shall be used to award competitive grants for mobile crisis teams.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>On or before December 1 each year beginning in 2020, the Department shall submit to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly a report that includes, for the most recent closed fiscal year:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The number of grants distributed;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Funds distributed by county;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Information about grant recipients and programs and services provided; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Outcome data reported under the statewide system of measurement required in subsection (d)(7)(ii) of this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-209" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Behavioral Health Administration"> <level label="a"> <text>In consultation with interested stakeholders, the Director shall prepare an annual report on behavioral health services for children and young adults in the State.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The report shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The number and the percentage of children and young adults who, during the reported year:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Were eligible for public behavioral health services;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Used a public behavioral health service, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An outpatient service;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An inpatient service;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An emergency room service;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A residential treatment center service;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>An intensive public behavioral health service, including targeted or mental health case management services, respite care services, services provided under § 1915(i) of the Social Security Act, and psychiatric rehabilitation services; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>A substance–related disorders program service; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Used a public behavioral health service provided through telehealth;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The total expenditure and expenditure per child and young adult using a public behavioral health service, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>An outpatient service;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An inpatient service;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>An emergency room service;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>A residential treatment center service;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>An intensive community service; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>A substance–related disorders program service;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The total cost per child or young adult for all behavioral health services provided to the child or young adult;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The total expenditure and expenditure per child and young adult for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Targeted case management services;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Respite care services;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Services provided through a plan under § 1915(i) of the Social Security Act; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Psychiatric rehabilitation services;</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The median length of time children and young adults spent:</text> <level label="i"> <text>In the hospital emergency room pending psychiatric inpatient hospitalization; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Waiting for placement in a residential treatment center from the date of the referral, as determined by the referral source, to the date of the placement;</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The number of children and young adults who were readmitted within 30 days at:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The same hospital;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The same residential treatment center; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Any other hospital or residential treatment center;</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>The median length of stay for children and young adults at:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A residential treatment center;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A psychiatric unit at a hospital; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A residential substance–related disorders program; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="8"> <text>For residential treatment centers:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The total number of children and young adults admitted during the report year; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The total number of children and young adults discharged</text> <text>during the report year.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The report shall group the information required under subsection (b) of this section by jurisdiction and by the following age groups:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Birth through 6 years old;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>7 through 12 years old;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>13 through 17 years old;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>18 through 21 years old; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>22 through 25 years old.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The report shall group the information required under subsection (b) of this section by the following races and ethnic groups:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Hispanic or Latino of any race; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For individuals who are non–Hispanic or non–Latino:</text> <level label="i"> <text>American Indian or Alaskan Native;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Asian;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Black or African American;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>White; or</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Two or more races.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>On or before December 1 each year, the Director shall submit the report required under this section to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-210" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Behavioral Health Administration"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Eligible individual” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A service member;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A veteran;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The spouse of a service member or veteran;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>A child of a service member or veteran; or</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>A stepchild of a service member or veteran.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Program” means the Sheila E. Hixson Behavioral Health Services Matching Grant Program for Service Members and Veterans.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>There is a Sheila E. Hixson Behavioral Health Services Matching Grant Program for Service Members and Veterans.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The purpose of the Program is to provide funds to local nonprofit organizations to establish and expand community behavioral health programs to serve service members, veterans, and their families.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department shall administer the Program.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Program shall award competitive matching grants to local nonprofit organizations to establish and expand community behavioral health programs that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Serve the behavioral health needs of eligible individuals in the locality served by the nonprofit organization;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Meet national standards;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Integrate the delivery of mental health and substance use treatment; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Connect eligible individuals to appropriate community–based care in a timely manner on discharge from the community behavioral health program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>To be eligible for a grant from the Program, a nonprofit organization must have a mission to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Provide behavioral health services; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Provide services to active service members, veterans, or their families.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An eligible nonprofit organization shall secure contributions for the proposal in an amount of money or other consideration at least equal in value to the amount of money requested from the Program.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>In awarding matching grants under the Program, the Department shall develop selection criteria for evaluating applicant proposals.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The selection criteria developed under this paragraph shall include positive scoring for proposals that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Demonstrate fiscal controls, including by making use of multiple sources of funding;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Evidence project effectiveness, including by showing how the grant awarded by the Program will be used to augment existing services to create seamless behavioral health treatment;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Show an applicant’s previous successful experience administering grants; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Meet any other criteria the Department considers relevant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>In awarding matching grants under this section, the Department shall give priority to proposals that best meet the selection criteria regardless of the projected cost.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Department shall establish application procedures that implement the requirements of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department shall establish a statewide system of outcome measurement to assess the effectiveness and adequacy of services provided by each nonprofit organization receiving a matching grant under the Program.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A nonprofit organization receiving a matching grant under the Program shall submit any information that the Department determines is necessary for the statewide system of outcome measurement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Department shall establish:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Guidelines that require nonprofit organizations that receive a matching grant under the Program to bill third–party insurers and, when appropriate, the Maryland Medical Assistance Program; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any other procedures necessary to carry out this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>Beginning in fiscal year 2022, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor may include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $2,500,000 for the Program.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>On or before December 1 each year, beginning in 2023, the Department shall submit to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly a report that includes, for the most recently closed fiscal year:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The number of grants distributed;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Funds distributed by county;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Information about grant recipients and the services provided through grant funding; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Outcome data reported under the statewide system of measurement required under subsection (f) of this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-301" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Behavioral Health Programs"> <text>In this subtitle, “Council” means the Behavioral Health Advisory Council.</text> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-302" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Behavioral Health Programs"> <text>There is a Behavioral Health Advisory Council in the Office of the Governor.</text> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-303" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Behavioral Health Programs"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Council consists of the following members:</text> <level label="i"> <text>One member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>One member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Five representatives of the Department, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health, or the Deputy Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Deputy Secretary for Developmental Disabilities, or the Deputy Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Executive Director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, or the Executive Director’s designee; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Deputy Secretary for Health Care Financing, or the Deputy Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The Secretary of Aging, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The Secretary of Budget and Management, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>The Secretary of Disabilities, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>The Secretary of Housing and Community Development, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>The Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>The Secretary of Juvenile Services, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>The Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>The Secretary of Labor, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="xii"> <text>The Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, or the Executive Director’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="xiii"> <text>The Director of the Governor’s Office of the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing, or the Director’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="xiv"> <text>The Public Defender of Maryland, or the Public Defender’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="xv"> <text>Two representatives of the State Superintendent of Schools, or the Superintendent’s designee, and the Assistant State Superintendent of the Division of Rehabilitation Services, or the Assistant State Superintendent’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="xvi"> <text>Two representatives of the Maryland Judiciary, a District Court judge, and a circuit court judge, appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland;</text> </level> <level label="xvii"> <text>The Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Behavioral Health Authorities, or the Executive Director’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="xviii"> <text>The President of the Maryland Association of County Health Officers, or the President’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="xix"> <text>Four representatives from county behavioral health advisory councils, one from each region of the State;</text> </level> <level label="xx"> <text>One representative, appointed by the Secretary of Health, from each of the following organizations:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Community Behavioral Health Association;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Maryland Addictions Director’s Council;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Maryland Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Maryland Black Mental Health Alliance;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Maryland Coalition of Families;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Disability Rights Maryland;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Maryland Recovery Organization Connecting Communities;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Mental Health Association of Maryland;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>National Alliance on Mental Illness of Maryland;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Maryland;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>On Our Own of Maryland; and</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>Maryland Association of Boards of Education; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="xxi"> <text>Two individuals representing the mental health and substance use disorder treatment community, appointed by the Governor from each of the following:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Academic or research professionals who are not State employees;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Medical professionals;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Individuals formerly or currently in receipt of behavioral health services;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Family members of individuals with mental health or substance use disorders;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A parent of a young child with behavioral health disorders;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>A youth with a behavioral health disorder who is between the ages of 16 and 25 years; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Individuals active in behavioral health issues within their community.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Additional representatives or individuals designated by the Council shall be appointed by the Secretary.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Members appointed by the Governor under subsection (a)(1)(xxi) of this section shall be representative, to the extent practicable, of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Geographic regions of the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>At–risk populations;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Ethnic, gender, across–the–lifespan, and cultural diversity; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Balanced representation from areas of mental health and substance use disorders.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Council shall appoint a chair from among the membership of the Council.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Members appointed by the Governor under subsection (a)(1)(xxi) of this section:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Serve a 4–year term;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>May serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>After at least 6 years have passed since serving, may be reappointed for terms that comply with items (i) and (ii) of this paragraph;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>At the end of a term, continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>If appointed after a term has begun, serve only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Ex officio members serve as long as the member holds the specified office or designation.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subsection, all members serve at the pleasure of the Governor.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>With the consent of the Council, the chair may designate additional individuals with relevant expertise to serve on a committee or task force.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-304" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Behavioral Health Programs"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Council may adopt procedures necessary to do business, including the creation of committees or task forces.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Council may consult with State agencies to carry out the duties of the Council.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Council shall meet at least six times a year.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A majority of the voting members of the Council is a quorum.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A member of the Council:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May not receive compensation as a member of the Council; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Behavioral Health Administration shall provide one full–time project manager for administrative coordination, and other staff as necessary to support the functions of the Council.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-305" future_version_removed="true" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Behavioral Health Programs"> <text>The Council shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Promote and advocate for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Planning, policy, workforce development, and services to ensure a coordinated, quality system of care that is outcome–guided and that integrates prevention, recovery, evidence–based practices, and cost–effective strategies that enhance behavioral health services across the State; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A culturally competent and comprehensive approach to publicly funded prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery services that support and foster wellness, recovery, resiliency, and health for individuals who have behavioral health disorders and their family members; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Submit, in coordination with the Commission on Behavioral Health Care Treatment and Access, an annual report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on or before December 31 of each year.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-401" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="4"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this section, a behavioral health program shall be licensed by the Secretary before program services may be provided in this State.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Secretary may exempt the following persons from the licensure requirements of this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A health professional, in either solo or group practice, who is licensed under the Health Occupations Article and who is providing mental health or substance–related disorder services according to the requirements of the appropriate professional board;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, recovery residences, peer support services, family support services, or other similar organizations, if the organization holds meetings or provides support services but does not provide any type of treatment;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An employees’ assistance program of a business entity;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Outpatient behavioral health treatment and rehabilitation services provided in a regulated space in a hospital, as defined in § 19–301 of this article, if the services are accredited by an approved accreditation organization under its behavioral health standards; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A private therapeutic group home as defined in § 10–920 of this article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-402" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="4"> <level label="a"> <text>Regulations adopted under this subtitle shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The requirements for licensure of a behavioral health program, including a requirement that the behavioral health program:</text> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>Establish and implement a safety plan for the safety of the individuals served by the behavioral health program; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Implement a safety or emergency plan established for the program for another purpose; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Revise the safety plan not less than every 5 years;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The process for a behavioral health program to apply for a license;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A description of the behavioral health programs that are required to be licensed;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any requirements for the governance of a behavioral health program, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A provision prohibiting a conflict of interest between the interests of the provider and those of the individual receiving services;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A provision authorizing a behavioral health program licensed as an outpatient mental health center to satisfy any regulatory requirement that the medical director be on site through the use of telehealth by the director; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A provision authorizing a psychiatric nurse practitioner to serve as a medical director of an outpatient mental health center accredited in accordance with COMAR 10.63.03.05, including through telehealth;</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Provisions for inspections of a behavioral health program, including inspection and copying of the records of a behavioral health program in accordance with State and federal law; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Provisions for denials, sanctions, suspensions, and revocations of licenses, including imposition of civil monetary penalties, and notice and an opportunity to be heard.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary may require a behavioral health program to be granted accreditation by an accreditation organization approved by the Secretary under Title 19, Subtitle 23 of this article as a condition of licensure under regulations adopted under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>By becoming licensed in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection, a program agrees to comply with all applicable standards of the accreditation organization.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If a behavioral health program is required to be granted accreditation as a condition of licensure under paragraph (1) of this subsection and the accreditation organization requires the behavioral health program to adopt a community relations plan, the behavioral health program shall submit the community relations plan to the Administration.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Regulations adopted under this subtitle may include provisions setting reasonable fees for applying for a license and for the issuance and renewal of licenses.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Administration may authorize a behavioral health program to satisfy the safety plan requirement under subsection (a)(1) of this section by implementing a safety plan established for the behavioral health program for another purpose.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Department shall adopt regulations under this subtitle that establish food service facility standards that are appropriate to residential programs that have fewer than 17 residents and are licensed under:</text> <level label="1"> <text>COMAR 10.63.03.11;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>COMAR 10.63.03.12;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>COMAR 10.63.03.13; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>COMAR 10.63.03.14.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-403" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="4"> <text>Each individual served by a behavioral health program is entitled to the rights that are:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Identified in the behavioral health program’s accreditation standards; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Established for nonaccredited behavioral health programs by the Department in regulations.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-404" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="4"> <level label="a"> <text>An individual or organization may not operate a behavioral health program in violation of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An individual or organization that operates a behavioral health program without the license required by this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $10,000 for each violation.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department may file for and pursue an injunction to prevent an individual or organization from operating a behavioral health program without the license required by this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-501" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Referrals to Recovery Residences"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department shall establish and operate a toll–free Health Crisis Hotline 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Health Crisis Hotline shall assist callers by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Conducting a comprehensive evidence–based screening for mental health and substance use needs, cognitive or intellectual functioning, infectious disease, and acute somatic conditions;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Conducting a risk assessment for callers experiencing an overdose or potentially committing suicide or a homicide;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Connecting callers to an emergency response system when indicated;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Referring callers for ongoing care; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Following up with callers to determine if the needs of callers were met.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department shall collect and maintain the following information to provide to callers on the Health Crisis Hotline:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The names, telephone numbers, and addresses of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Residential, inpatient, and outpatient substance use disorder and mental health programs, including information on private programs and programs administered by local health departments and other public entities; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Hospitals, including hospital emergency rooms, and other facilities that provide detoxification services;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The levels of care provided by the programs, hospitals, and facilities identified under item (1) of this subsection; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Whether the programs, hospitals, and facilities identified under item (1) of this subsection:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Accept payment for services from a third–party payor, including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Provide services:</text> <level label="1"> <text>That are specific to pregnant women;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>That are gender specific;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For individuals with co–occurring disorders;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>To support parents of children with substance use and mental health disorders; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>For grief support.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department shall provide training for Health Crisis Hotline staff who assist callers on the Health Crisis Hotline to ensure that staff are able to provide sufficient information and respond appropriately to callers who may be in a crisis.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To the extent practicable, the Department shall ensure that information provided to callers on the Health Crisis Hotline is up to date and accurate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Department shall disseminate information about the Health Crisis Hotline to the public, both directly and through public and private organizations that serve the public.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-5A-01" future_version_removed="true" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="5A" subtitle_name="9–8–8 Trust Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Commercial mobile radio service” or “CMRS” means mobile telecommunications service that is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Provided for profit with the intent of receiving compensation or monetary gain;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An interconnected, two–way voice service; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Available to the public.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Commercial mobile radio service provider” or “CMRS provider” means a person authorized by the Federal Communications Commission to provide CMRS in the State.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Consumer” means a person that purchases prepaid wireless telecommunications service in a retail transaction.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Fund” means the 9–8–8 Trust Fund.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Lifeline program” means the federal Lifeline program established by the Federal Communications Commission.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Prepaid wireless telecommunications service” means a commercial mobile radio service that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Allows a consumer to dial 9–8–8 to access the 9–8–8 system;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Must be paid for in advance; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Is sold in predetermined units that decline with use in a known amount.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Retail transaction” means the purchase of prepaid wireless telecommunications service from a seller for any purpose other than resale.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Telephone company” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the Public Utilities Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-5A-02" future_version_removed="true" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="5A" subtitle_name="9–8–8 Trust Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a 9–8–8 Trust Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The purpose of the Fund is to provide reimbursement for costs associated with:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Designating and maintaining 9–8–8 as the universal telephone number for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline in accordance with the federal National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Developing and implementing a statewide initiative for the coordination and delivery of the continuum of behavioral health crisis response services in the State, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Crisis call centers;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Mobile crisis team services;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Crisis stabilization centers; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Other acute behavioral health care services.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department shall administer the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Fund consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Money from the 9–8–8 fee collected and remitted to the Comptroller under § 7.5–5A–03.1 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Interest earnings of the Fund; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Fund may be used only for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Carrying out the purpose of the Fund; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any related administrative expenses of the Comptroller.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>Money expended from the Fund for carrying out the purpose of the Fund is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated for carrying out the purpose of the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>No part of the Fund may revert or be credited to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The General Fund of the State; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any other special fund of the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <text>The Fund is subject to audit by the Office of Legislative Audits as provided in § 2–1220 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="l"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Comptroller shall distribute to an administrative cost account the amount necessary to administer the fees and to cover the expenses of conducting audits under this section from the 9–8–8 fee revenue collected and remitted to the Comptroller under § 7.5–5A–03.1 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The amount distributed to the administrative cost account may not exceed:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For each of fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027, 6% of the fees collected by the Comptroller; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For fiscal year 2028 and each fiscal year thereafter, 3% of the fees collected by the Comptroller.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="m"> <text>After making the distribution required by subsection (l) of this section, the Comptroller shall deposit the 9–8–8 fee revenue in the Fund.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-5A-03" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="5A" subtitle_name="9–8–8 Trust Fund"> <text>The Department, in collaboration with the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the National Veterans Crisis Line, and other appropriate entities, shall work to promote the public messaging of 9–8–8 services in a consistent manner.</text> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-5A-03.1" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="5A" subtitle_name="9–8–8 Trust Fund"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“9–8–8–accessible service” means telephone service or another communications service that connects an individual dialing the digits 9–8–8 to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“9–8–8 fee” means the fee imposed in accordance with this section.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>“9–8–8 service carrier” means a provider of CMRS or other 9–8–8–accessible service.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“9–8–8 service carrier” does not include a telephone company.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section does not apply to prepaid wireless telecommunications service.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, each subscriber to switched local exchange access service, CMRS, or other 9–8–8–accessible service shall pay a 9–8–8 fee.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A subscriber who is enrolled in the Lifeline program may not be required to pay a 9–8–8 fee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraphs (2) through (4) of this subsection, the 9–8–8 fee is 25 cents per month payable when the bill for the switched local exchange access service, CMRS, or other 9–8–8–accessible service is due.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection, if a person is able to make more than one simultaneous outbound call using a 9–8–8–accessible service, each separate outbound call voice channel capacity, regardless of the technology, shall be considered a separate 9–8–8–accessible service for the purpose of determining the 9–8–8 fee due under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>CMRS provided to multiple devices that share the same telephone number shall be considered a single 9–8–8–accessible service for the purpose of determining the 9–8–8 fee due under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A broadband connection that is not used as a telephone service may not be considered a separate voice channel capacity for the purpose of determining the 9–8–8 fee due under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Public Service Commission shall direct each telephone company to add the 9–8–8 fee to all current bills rendered for switched local exchange access service in the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each telephone company:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Shall act as a collection agent for the Fund with respect to the 9–8–8 fees; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Shall remit all money collected to the Comptroller on a monthly basis.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>Each 9–8–8 service carrier shall add the 9–8–8 fee to all current bills rendered for CMRS or other 9–8–8–accessible service in the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each 9–8–8 service carrier:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Shall act as a collection agent for the Fund with respect to the 9–8–8 fees;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Shall remit all money collected to the Comptroller on a monthly basis;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Shall keep records of 9–8–8 fees collected and remitted under this paragraph for at least 4 years after the fee is remitted; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Is entitled to credit, against the money from the 9–8–8 fee to be remitted to the Comptroller, an amount equal to 0.5% of the 9–8–8 fee to cover the expenses of billing, collecting, remitting, and keeping records of the 9–8–8 fees.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Comptroller shall adopt procedures for auditing fee collection and remittance by telephone companies and CMRS providers.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>A CMRS provider that pays or collects 9–8–8 fees under this section has the same immunity from liability for transmission failures as that approved by the Public Service Commission for local exchange telephone companies that are subject to regulation by the Commission under the Public Utilities Article.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>The Comptroller shall adopt regulations to carry out this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-5A-03.2" future_version_removed="true" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="5A" subtitle_name="9–8–8 Trust Fund" /> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-5A-04" future_version_removed="true" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="5A" subtitle_name="9–8–8 Trust Fund"> <text>On or before December 1 each year, the Department shall submit a report to the Legislative Policy Committee, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, and the House Appropriations Committee, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, that includes for the immediately preceding fiscal year a detailed description of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The amount of funds transferred and distributed from the Fund in accordance with § 7.5–5A–02(b) of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The amount of funds collected and remitted to the Comptroller under § 7.5–5A–03.1 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The additional services provided by the funding in each local jurisdiction;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The amount of any unspent funds in the Fund; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The reasons funds identified under item (4) of this section were not spent.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-601" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="6"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“ASAM Level 3.1 services” means the level of clinically managed, low–intensity residential services for the treatment of addictive, substance–related, and co–occurring conditions described by the American Society of Addiction Medicine.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Health professional” means a person who:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Is licensed under the Health Occupations Article; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Is providing mental health or substance–related disorder services according to the requirements of the appropriate professional board.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Beginning November 1, 2017, a behavioral health program or health professional, when referring an individual to receive services at a recovery residence, shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Provide the individual with a list of certified recovery residences operating in the State that is published by the Department under § 19–2503(b) of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Provide to an individual who has been assessed as in need of ASAM Level 3.1 services information on where the individual may receive those services.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-801" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="8"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Advisory Committee” means the Maryland Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Registry and Referral System Advisory Committee.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Registry and Referral System” means the Maryland Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Registry and Referral System.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“State–designated health information exchange” means the health information exchange designated by the Maryland Health Care Commission under § 19–143 of this article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-802" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="8"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>There is a Maryland Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Registry and Referral System in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The purpose of the Registry and Referral System is to provide a statewide system through which health care providers can identify and access available private and State inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance use services for patients in a seamless manner.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Subject to the availability of funds, the Department shall develop and implement the Registry and Referral System, in collaboration with the State–designated Health Information Exchange.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Registry and Referral System shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A searchable inventory of any private or State provider of mental health and substance use disorder services, including inpatient, crisis, and outpatient services;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The capability to allow a provider of mental health and substance use disorder services to update registry information including the real–time availability of services; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>An electronic referral system that is available to any health care provider in the State to facilitate electronic referrals to mental health and substance use disorder providers.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Department shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Determine the appropriate technology to support the operation of the Registry and Referral System; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To the extent practicable, consider existing technology operated by the State–designated health information exchange, workflow of providers, and practices of providers when determining the appropriate technology for the Registry and Referral System.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>There is a Maryland Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Registry and Referral System Advisory Committee.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Advisory Committee shall advise the Department on the development and implementation of the Registry and Referral System.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Advisory Committee shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The Deputy Secretary of Behavioral Health, or the Deputy Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services, or the Deputy Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Executive Director of the Health Services Cost Review Commission, or the Executive Director’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>One representative with expertise in health information technology, designated by the Maryland chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Providers of mental health and substance use services; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Any other representatives considered necessary by the Department to assist in the development and implementation of the Registry and Referral System.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Advisory Committee shall make recommendations to the Department relating to the design, development, implementation, and funding of the Registry and Referral System on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Necessary regulations;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The status of the resource directory and pilot program developed by the Department; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Sources of funding, including grant funds and other sources of federal, private, or State funds.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Each private and State hospital shall ensure the availability of staff to identify appropriate and available services for patients in the hospital who are in need of mental health or substance use disorder services and to assist the patient in accessing the services.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-901" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Council” means the Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Fund” means the Opioid Restitution Fund established under § 7–331 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-902" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council"> <text>There is an Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council in the Department.</text> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-903" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council"> <level label="a"> <text>The Council consists of the following members:</text> <level label="1"> <text>One member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>One member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health, or the Deputy Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Deputy Secretary for Health Care Financing, or the Deputy Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Attorney General, or the Attorney General’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The Special Secretary of Overdose Response, or the Special Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Three individuals appointed by the Governor:</text> <level label="i"> <text>One of whom represents a community–based opioid treatment program;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>One of whom represents a community–based substance use disorder and mental health treatment program; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>One of whom is a public health expert engaged in harm reduction services;</text> </level> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Three individuals appointed by the Secretary:</text> <level label="i"> <text>One of whom is an individual in recovery from a substance use disorder;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>One of whom is a family member of an individual who has experienced an overdose; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>One of whom is an individual disproportionately impacted by substance use disorders and disparities in access to care;</text> </level> </level> <level label="9"> <text>One individual designated by the Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Counties; and</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>One individual designated by the Executive Director of the Maryland Municipal League.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Members appointed by the Governor and by the Secretary under subsection (a) of this section shall, to the extent practicable:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Reflect the geographic regions of the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Be representative of at–risk populations; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Reflect the ethnic, gender, and cultural diversity of the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Council shall designate a chair from among the membership of the Council.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The term of a member appointed by the Governor or the Secretary under subsection (a) of this section is 2 years.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The terms of the members appointed by the Governor and the Secretary under subsection (a) of this section are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Council on October 1, 2022.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A member appointed by the Governor or the Secretary under subsection (a) of this section may serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subsection, all members serve at the pleasure of the Governor.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A member of the Council:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May not receive compensation as a member of the Council; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Subject to § 7.5–904(c) of this subtitle, with the consent of the Council, the chair may designate additional individuals with relevant expertise to serve on a committee of the Council in an advisory capacity.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-904" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to subsection (c) of this section, the Council may adopt procedures necessary to do business, including the creation of committees.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Council may consult with State agencies to carry out the duties of the Council.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Council shall meet at least four times a year.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A majority of the voting members of the Council is a quorum.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response shall provide appropriate staff necessary to support the functions of the Council.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>If required by a court or administrative order or a settlement agreement entered into by the Attorney General, the Attorney General may direct that a Council committee be formed in accordance with the requirements of the court or administrative order or settlement agreement.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Attorney General shall establish procedures for a committee formed under paragraph (1) of this subsection in order to ensure compliance with the requirements of the court or administrative order or settlement agreement.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a committee formed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall conduct only business related to the purpose of the court or administrative order or settlement agreement that required the formation of the subcommittee.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A committee may conduct business related to multiple court or administrative orders or settlement agreements if the court or administrative orders or settlement agreements contain identical requirements.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A committee formed under paragraph (1) of this subsection may consist only of members of the Council.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Unless otherwise provided in a court or administrative order or settlement agreement, the chair of the Council, or the chair’s designee, shall be chair of a committee formed under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-905" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council"> <level label="a"> <text>On or before November 1 each year, the Council shall provide specific findings and recommendations in writing to the Governor and the Secretary regarding the allocations of money from the Fund for expenditures consistent with uses of the Fund and considering the following criteria:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The number of people per capita with a substance use disorder in a jurisdiction;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Disparities in access to care in a jurisdiction that may preclude persons;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The number of overdose deaths per capita in a jurisdiction;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The programs, services, supports, or other resources currently available to individuals with substance use disorders in a jurisdiction; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Disparities in access to care and health outcomes in a jurisdiction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 6 months after receiving the findings and recommendations submitted under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall present to the Council the decisions for the allocations of money from the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department shall post on the Department’s website the findings and recommendations of the Council and the decisions for the allocations of money from the Fund.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="7.5-1001" title_number="7.5" title_name="Behavioral Health Administration" subtitle_number="10"> <level label="a"> <text>The Maryland Office of Overdose Response, in collaboration with the Department, shall develop and maintain an interactive dashboard on Opioid Restitution Fund spending for the purpose of sharing prescription opioid–related settlement information with the public.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The dashboard developed and maintained under subsection (a) of this section shall include, disaggregated by State, county, and municipality:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Payment schedule information on estimated payments to the State, county, or municipality from opioid settlements;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Past spending of settlement funds;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Spending plans and priorities; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A detailed description of any initiative funded with settlement funds, including performance measures if applicable.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If there is a State, county, or municipal website that provides access to additional information on the use of opioid–related settlement funds by the State, county, or municipality, the dashboard shall include a link to the State, county, or municipal website.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection does not apply to a county or municipality that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Complies with reporting requirements established in an opioid–related settlement; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Shares the data in the reports required under an opioid–related settlement with the appropriate State entity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A county or municipality receiving settlement funds shall provide to the Department the necessary financial information related to settlement funding to include as information on the dashboard.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Information required to be provided under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be in compliance with the terms of any opioid–related settlement agreement.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Department shall upload opioid–related settlement information submitted to the Department by a county or municipality in compliance with the terms of an opioid–related settlement.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Department shall establish an online portal with instructions for a county or municipality to report or upload required information to the Department for use in the dashboard.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>To the extent practicable, the dashboard shall use existing platforms that provide data on opioid use and overdoses in the State.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The dashboard shall be developed and maintained using funds from the Opioid Restitution Fund as appropriated through the State budget.</text> </level> </section>