SB 6494 - DIGEST
(SEE ALSO PROPOSED 2ND SUB)

Creates the children's mental health work group to identify barriers to access of mental health services for children and families and to advise the legislature on statewide mental health services for this population.

Requires the state health care authority and the department of social and health services to report to the appropriate legislative committees on the status of access to behavioral health services for children from birth through age seventeen.

Requires the state health care authority to require universal screening and provider payment for depression for children ages eleven through twenty-one as recommended by the bright futures guidelines of the American academy of pediatrics.

Provides that this act is null and void if appropriations are not approved.