Behavioral health redesign-vulnerable adults.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material did not provide specific details about which services vulnerable adults would receive under this act.

Behavioral Health Redesign for Vulnerable Adults

This law includes vulnerable adults within a program to improve mental health services and clarifies that age or disability does not mean severe mental illness.

What This Bill Does

• Includes vulnerable adults within the definition of 'adults with severe mental illness' as it applies to the Behavioral Health Redesign until June 30, 2026.
• Clarifies that being older or having a physical or mental disability alone does not mean someone has severe mental illness.

Who It Names or Affects

• Vulnerable adults who may need mental health support
• The Department of Health responsible for implementing these changes

Terms To Know

Adults with severe mental illness

People who, without regular treatment or case management, are likely to not meet their basic needs like food and shelter.

Vulnerable adults

A specific group of people identified by the state as needing extra protection and support.

Limits and Unknowns

• The changes will end on June 30, 2026.
• It does not specify how many vulnerable adults are included or what services they will receive.

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 24LSO-0174

Bill No.:

SF0007

Effective:

7/1/2024

LSO No.:

24LSO-0174

Enrolled Act No.:

SEA No. 0027

Chapter No.:

36

Prime Sponsor:

Joint Labor, Health & Social Services Interim Committee

Catch Title:

Behavioral health redesign-vulnerable adults.

Has Report:

No

Subject:

Includes vulnerable adults within the Behavioral Health Redesign.

Summary/Major Elements:

This bill includes vulnerable adults within the definition of "adults with severe mental illness" as it applies to the Behavioral Health Redesign, which becomes effective July 1, 2024. The Redesign required the Department of Health to reform the state-funded mental illness and substance use disorder treatment system and creates priority populations that will be the focus of community mental health and substance abuse services.

This bill clarifies that advanced age or a physical or mental disability does not establish a presumption of severe mental illness.

This inclusion of vulnerable adults in the definition has a sunset date of June 30, 2026.

The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

24LSO-0174

ORIGINAL Senate

ENGROSSED
File No
.
SF0007

ENROLLED ACT NO. 27,

SENATE

SIXTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2024 Budget Session

AN ACT relating to public health and safety; including vulnerable adults within the behavioral health redesign; clarifying advanced age or a physical or mental disability does not establish a presumption of severe mental illness; providing a sunset date; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.

W.S. 35
‑
1
‑
613(a)(xv), as amended by 2021 Wyoming Session Laws, Chapter 79, Section 1, and as that act was amended by 2022 Wyoming Session Laws, Chapter 31, Section 2, is amended to read:

35
‑
1
‑
613.

Definitions.

(a)

As used in this act:

(xv)

"Adults with severe mental illness" means persons who, based on diagnosis and history, have a substantial probability of being unable to meet their needs for food, shelter and medical care if they do not receive regular mental health treatment or case management
. For purposes of this paragraph, the presence of advanced age or a physical or mental disability shall not solely establish a presumption of severe mental illness. Until June 30, 2026, "Adults with severe mental illness" shall include vulnerable adults as defined by W.S. 35
‑
20
‑
102(a)(xviii)
;

Section 2.

This act is effective July 1, 2024.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.

Chief Clerk

1