6496 directs the secretary to establish minimum statewide standards for behavioral health service providers and services.
The secretary shall direct the department to issue a request for proposal to contract with an independent firm to perform a review and issue a report of the department’s rules, policies, and procedures related to the scope of work and training requirements for behavioral health service providers and other related staff. The report should be completed and delivered to the legislature by December 1, 2018.
Required details of the review and report are identified in the bill, as are specifics regarding the methodology that must be used, how the review will be distributed, and who needs to coordinate review functions. Reviews involving evidence or research-based programs must be conducted, to the extent practicable, by personnel familiar with the department’s provision of behavioral health services, program model, department structure, and administrative framework and in a manner consistent with the documentation requirements of the program.
