D.C. Law 22-141. Study of Mental Health and Substance Abuse in Immigrant Communities Act of 2018.
AN ACT
To require the Department of Behavioral Health to conduct a study, in consultation with private and public entities that provide health care services to members of the District's immigrant community, to evaluate the impact on the mental health of the District's immigrant community of the threat of imminent action by the federal government to remove immigrant residents from the District.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Study of Mental Health and Substance Abuse in Immigrant Communities Act of 2018".
Sec. 2. Study of mental health and substance abuse in immigrant communities.
(a) The Department of Behavioral Health ("Department"), in consultation with private and public entities that provide health care services to members of the District's immigrant community, shall conduct a study assessing the impact on the mental health of the District's immigrant community of the threat of imminent action by the federal government to remove immigrant residents from the District. The study shall:
(1) Evaluate the manner in which fear of removal from the District precipitates mental health issues in the immigrant community;
(2) Evaluate the immigrant community's access to and use of mental health services, including the availability of mental health educational services and any barriers impeding access to mental health care services;
(3) Evaluate the prevalence of substance use disorders and mental health issues in the immigrant community;
(4) Evaluate the immigrant community's access to and utilization of substance abuse programs, including any barriers impeding access to substance abuse programs;
(5) Determine the primary factors contributing to alcohol and substance abuse issues in the immigrant community;
(6) Identify specific mental health needs in the immigrant community to improve diagnosis and provide quality treatment for mental trauma and substance abuse issues; and
(7) Identify financial resources to protect and preserve the mental and physical health of the immigrant community, including individuals with either private or public health insurance coverage.
(b) By February 1, 2019, the Department shall submit the study required pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to the Council.
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 the 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 following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), 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)), and publication in the District of Columbia Register.
