SENATE RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE SECRETARY OF THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR ESTABLISHING A SINGLE UNIFIED SYSTEM OF INTEGRATED BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR ACROSS THE LIFE-CYCLE

This Senate resolution asks the Rhode Island Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a plan for merging the state's separate child and adult mental health systems into one unified network. The proposed system would be managed by the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals to ensure consistent, high-quality care for people of all ages. The plan must be developed by July 2026 and include a detailed report by April 2025 that outlines how to transfer staff, budgets, and responsibilities between agencies. Additionally, the resolution authorizes the Secretary to sign agreements allowing the sharing of confidential information needed to run the new system and requires other state departments to cooperate with the planning process.