Access to crucial mental health services could be expanded, under bills now ready for the governor’s signature. The package of legislation passed the state Senate on Wednesday.
The bills grew out of the work an Assembly task force on mental health, and passed that chamber of the legislature in November. They address a wide range of concerns dealing with mental health, from access to care to coordination of emergency detention.
They include measures making it easier for mental health patients to seek in-home treatment, establishing a consultation line for doctors to seek advice on treatment options, and creating a grant program to provide law enforcement with training on how to respond to crisis situations involving mental illness. Other bills provide funding to help find jobs for people with mental illnesses, and for mobile intervention teams in rural counties.
All of the bills passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support and now head to Governor Scott Walker, who’s expected to sign them.
