Three bills have been introduced in the Ohio House and are making their way through the state legislature: HB 439, HB 468, and HB 523.
House Bill 439, sponsored by Reps. Galonski and Hillyer, concerns the involuntary hospitalization of individuals suffering from mental illness subject to a court order. Under current law, individuals may only be involuntarily hospitalized under particular cirumstances. This legislation would add a new category of individuals eligible to be involuntarily hospitalized. It is in the House Civil Justice Committee. You can learn more here.
House Bill 468, sponsored by Rep. Pavliga, will establish a statewide 9-8-8 suicide prevention hotline and mental health crisis telephone line in accordance with a federal mandate to be effective no later than July 16th, 2022. This legislation will designate crisis centers to participate in the 9-8-8 hotline that provides or coordinates crisis stabilization and intervention to individuals accessing the 9-8-8 hotline in this state. The bill is in the House Behavioral Health and Recovery Supports Committee. You can learn more about the legislation here.
House Bill 523, sponsored by Representative Swearingen, would make numerous changes to the composition and appointments of ADAMH Boards, contracting, taxing authority, and more. It is currently in the House Behavioral Health and Recovery Supports Committee and recently had its first hearing. You can learn more about this bill here.
To provide feedback on any of this legislation, please contact Kate.Rossman@ohiochildrensalliance.org