D.C. Act 25-645. Child Behavioral Health Services Dashboard Amendment Act of 2024.

AN ACT

To amend the Department of Health Functions Clarification Act of 2001 to require the Department of Health to create a publicly available directory and dashboard of behavioral health services to improve accessibility to behavioral health care for children, youth, and their families.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Child Behavioral Health Services Dashboard Amendment Act of 2024".

Sec. 2. The Department of Health Functions Clarification Act of 2001, effective October 3, 2001 (D.C. Law 14-28; D.C. Official Code § 7-731 et seq.), is amended by adding a new section 4902b to read as follows:

"Sec. 4902b. Child behavioral health services directory and dashboard.

"(a) By September 30, 2025, the Department of Health ("Department"), in consultation with the Department of Behavioral Health ("DBH"), shall create a publicly accessible and searchable online directory of available behavioral health services in the District ("directory"), which shall be prominently located on the Department's website.

"(b)(1) The directory shall be regularly updated to include:

"(A) A list of providers offering child and youth behavioral health screening services, behavioral health assessment services, behavioral health prevention and early intervention services, and behavioral health treatment services in the District, including the provider's contact information and a link to their website; and

"(B) Behavioral health resources available through DBH's school-based behavioral health programs established by the Early Childhood and School-based Behavioral Health Infrastructure Act of 2012, effective June 7, 2012 (D.C. Law 19-141; D.C. Official Code § 2-1517.31 et seq.), at each District of Columbia Public Schools school and public charter school.

"(2) The directory shall allow users to filter available providers included under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection by key features, including:

"(A) The age of population served;

"(B) The services provided;

"(C) The types of therapy offered;

"(D) The languages spoken by the provider;

"(E) Whether the provider offers specialized services for LGBTQIA+ individuals;

"(F) Whether the services are tailored to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, including intellectual disabilities;

"(G) Whether the services are available for or tailored to meet the needs of foster youth or justice-involved youth;

"(H) Whether the provider has competency or expertise in serving specific populations, including victims of crime or gun violence, survivors of domestic violence, or individuals and families experiencing homelessness;

"(I) The types of insurance accepted;

"(J) The zip code where the services are provided; and

"(K) The availability of telehealth.

"(3) The directory may include behavioral health resources currently offered by the:

"(A) Department;

"(B) DBH;

"(C) Department of Human Services;

"(D) Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services;

"(E) Child and Family Services Agency; and

"(F) Department of Disability Services.

"(c) By September 30, 2026, the Department shall, in consultation with DBH, establish an online dashboard or other information management tool for behavioral health services offered at District hospitals, which shall include the current status of:

"(1) The number of psychiatric service beds at hospitals serving children and youth up to age 17 in the District;

"(2) The treatment modalities used by each hospital; and

"(3) Whether the hospital accepts children and youth who are justice involved.

"(d) For the purposes of this section, the term:

"(1) "Behavioral health" shall have the same meaning as provided in section 102(1) of the Department of Mental Health Establishment Amendment Act of 2001, effective December 18, 2001 (D.C. Law 14-56; D.C. Official Code § 7-1131.02(1)).

"(2) "Behavioral health assessment" shall have the same meaning as provided in section 102(1A) of the Department of Mental Health Establishment Amendment Act of 2001, effective December 18, 2001 (D.C. Law 14-56; D.C. Official Code § 7-1131.02(1A)).

"(3) "Behavioral health prevention and early intervention services" means programs and services aimed at preventing and addressing behavioral health issues in children and youth at an early stage through screening, counseling, education, community-based interventions, and crisis response services to promote mental well-being and reduce the severity of emerging issues.

"(4) "Behavioral health screening" shall have the same meaning as provided in section 102(1D) of the Department of Mental Health Establishment Amendment Act of 2001, effective December 18, 2001 (D.C. Law 14-56; D.C. Official Code § 7-1131.02(1D)).

"(5) "Behavioral health treatment services" means stand-alone and co-occurring treatment services for substance use and mental health disorders aimed at promoting and improving an individual's behavioral health, including screening, prevention, early intervention, and treatment services.

"(6) "Child" means individuals under the age of 12 years.

"(7) "LGBTQIA+" means lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, or any other sexual or gender identity that falls outside of the traditional heterosexual and cisgender norms.

"(8) "Justice-involved youth" means youth who have committed a delinquent or criminal act, engaged in a status offense, or are within the custody of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services or Department of Corrections.

"(9) "Youth" means individuals between the ages of 12 and 26 years.".

Sec. 3. Applicability.

(a) This act shall apply upon the date of inclusion of its fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan.

(b) The Chief Financial Officer shall certify the date of the inclusion of its fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan, and provide notice to the Budget Director of the Council of the certification.

(c)(1) The Budget Director shall cause the notice of the certification to be published in the District of Columbia Register.

(2) The date of publication of the notice of the certification shall not affect the applicability of this act.

Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement.

The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).

Sec. 5. Effective date.

This act shall take effect after approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto) and a 30-day period of congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)).