During the Montana Legislature’s 2023 session, lawmakers agreed to set aside $300 million over the coming years, to make an investment in a “behavioral health system for future generations.” This week, the commission set up to make recommendations for how to invest that money is set for its first meeting.
Rep. Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork, sponsored House Bill 872, which established a new state account that can be used to fund state and community-based programs for people with behavioral health needs or developmental disabilities.
“This remaking of the developmental and behavioral system is a big, big deal,” he told MTN.
Under HB 872, $225 million will go into the new account. The allowable uses include studying and planning a comprehensive behavioral health system, planning and operation of state care facilities, acquiring or renovating property to establish state facilities, and investing in community-based providers to stabilize service delivery, support the workforce and increase service capacity. Another $75 million will go into the state’s long-range building fund for future capital projects in the behavioral health system.
Source : KTVH