BILL · 2021–22 SESSION

SB 5397: Access to behavioral health

Improving access to behavioral health treatment in certified crisis facilities.

Summary

Requires an evaluation and treatment facility or secure withdrawal management and stabilization facility that has treatment capacity to admit a person detained for involuntary treatment, or who is applying for transfer from a single-bed certification facility, unless an exception applies.
Requires managed care organizations and behavioral health administrative services organizations to secure a safe placement or safe discharge for a person who is detained for involuntary treatment if no other placement is available.
Requires crisis facilities to provide medically necessary co-occurring disorder treatment to persons receiving involuntary treatment by July 1, 2022.

From the Senate Bill Report (SB 5397), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · died in committee

AN ACT Relating to improving access to behavioral health treatment in certified crisis facilities;

No recorded floor votes. This measure never reached a floor vote.

Jan 10, 2022By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
Feb 3, 2021Referred to Behavioral Health Subcommittee to Health & Long Term Care.
Feb 1, 2021First reading, referred to Health & Long Term Care.

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

SB 5397 (2025–26) CTC faculty w/o tenure limit · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5397 (2023–24) Public benefit payments/DCYF · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5397 (2019–20) Plastic packaging · Enacted · Chapter 460, Laws of 2019
SB 5397 (2017–18) Petition disclosure · Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
SB 5397 (2015–16) Trans.-related information · Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
SB 5397 (2013–14) Community mental health · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5397 (2011–12) Unauthorized insurance · Did not pass · stalled on the Senate floor
SB 5397 (2009–10) Alternative public works · Did not pass · stalled on the Senate floor