Community substance use and mental health services grant program - creation - legislative intent

(1) There is created in the department of local affairs the community substance use and mental health services grant program, referred to in this section as the "grant program", to provide grants to counties that provide substance use or mental health treatment services to, facilitate diversion programs for, or develop other strategies to reduce jail and prison bed use by, persons who come into contact with the criminal justice system. A county that provides such treatment services and programs in collaboration with public health agencies, law enforcement agencies, and community-based organizations is eligible for a grant pursuant to the grant program. (2) Subject to available appropriations, the department shall issue a grant to any eligible county. The amount of a grant awarded pursuant to this section must be based on the cost of the services provided and the number of persons that receive services. (3) The department may develop policies and procedures necessary for the operation of the grant program, including the application process; the formula for determining the amount awarded to each eligible county; a process for verifying that the county is providing services described in this section in collaboration with public health agencies, law enforcement agencies, and community-based organizations; and a requirement that each grant recipient provides a report to the department describing how the grant funds were utilized. (4) The general assembly intends that the grant program be funded with money generated from estimated savings from House Bill 19-1263, enacted in 2019.