Senate Bill 169: Requires Mandatory Mental Health Evaluations

This bill would establish a community-wide public health collaborative pilot program in three yet-unnamed communities. One of the purposes of this program would be to “screen children from birth through grade twelve for evidence of mental or emotional trauma.” Another part of SB 169 would require the Commissioner of Children and Families and the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services to develop a plan to improve children’s health. This would include “comprehensive mental health assessments, early intervention, and treatment services for children from birth through grade twelve.” This would be a permanent, statewide program.