SF 1108

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to health; directing mental health
epidemiological studies; providing for a mental health
epidemiologist within the Department of Health;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 145.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [145.565] MENTAL HEALTH EPIDEMIOLOGY.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of health shall conduct
epidemiological studies on the status of mental illness in
children and adults and the treatment of mental illness in the
state. The commissioner shall hire a qualified epidemiologist
with experience related to psychiatric disorders to conduct the
studies. The epidemiologist shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) gather data on psychiatric disorders in the state,
including data relating to the number of Minnesotans with these
disorders, the treatment being provided, where and how the
treatment is being provided, and uncompensated mental health
care services;
new text end

new text begin (2) analyze the data to determine particular disorders that
are increasing in prevalence and identify particular disorders
that are being undertreated; and
new text end

new text begin (3) distribute the data to psychiatrists, primary care
physicians, and clinics that treat the mentally ill.
new text end

new text begin (b) The state mental health epidemiologist shall collect
and review data relating to access to inpatient and outpatient
psychiatric services. The review shall include a determination
of how frequently patients are diverted to another health care
service area or state. The commissioner shall issue an annual
report to the legislature that identifies access problems and
capacity constraints in the state's mental health treatment
system, both public and private. The report may include
recommendations to improve access to mental health care services
in the state.
new text end

new text begin (c) The epidemiologist shall work with professional health
care provider associations and mental health advocacy groups to
collect information on best practices for medically necessary
mental health care screening, diagnosis, and treatment. The
commissioner shall make the department's best practice
information available, through the department's newsletter, to
all physicians, mental health professionals, and mental health
clinics in the state.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2006 is appropriated from the
health care access fund to the commissioner of health to
implement the mental health epidemiology duties under Minnesota
Statutes, section 145.565.
new text end