CHILDRENS MENTAL HEALTH-NEW

Creates the Children's Mental Health Act of 2003 and amends the State Finance Act and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the development of a Children's Mental Health Plan containing short-term and long-term recommendations to provide comprehensive, coordinated mental health prevention, early intervention, and treatment services for children from birth through age 18. Sets forth features that must be included in the plan. Creates the Children's Mental Health Council, composed of representatives of State government and representatives of various advocacy organizations, to submit a preliminary plan to the Governor on September 30, 2004 and a final plan on June 30, 2005. Imposes certain duties on the Office of Mental Health within the Department of Human Services, the State Board of Education, and school districts. Creates the Children's Mental Health Fund as a special fund in the State treasury, to be used for appropriations to the Department of Human Services for mental health prevention, early intervention, and treatment services for children from birth through age 18. Under the Medicaid program, requires the Department of Public Aid to provide for the screening and assessment of a child before a Medicaid-funded admission to an inpatient hospital for psychiatric services. Effective immediately.