Secure Transportation Behavioral Health Crisis

The bill creates a regulatory and service system to provide secure transportation services, with different requirements than traditional ambulance services, for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Mobile crisis services, units linked to the walk-in crisis services, and crisis respite services may arrange for secure transportation in response to a behavioral health crisis. The department of human services shall allow for the development of secure transportation alternatives.

The board of county commissioners of the county in which the secure transportation service is based (commissioners) shall issue a license to an entity (licensee), valid for one year, that provides secure transportation services if the minimum requirements set by rule by the state board of health are met or exceeded. The commissioners shall also issue operating permits, valid for 12 months following issuance, to each vehicle operated by the licensee. A fee may be charged for each license to reflect the direct and indirect costs to the applicable county in implementing secure transportation services licensure. The state board of health is given authority to promulgate rules concerning secure transportation licensure.

The department of health care policy and financing is directed to create and implement a secure transportation benefit on or before January 1, 2022.

Language is added to exempt secure transportation services from regulation under the public utilities commission.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)