In a significant move to enhance emergency response to behavioral health crises, the House Health Care & Wellness Committee discussed House Bill 1809 during their meeting on February 14, 2025. This legislation aims to improve the training and certification of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, including emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians, and paramedics, in handling behavioral health emergencies.

House Bill 1809 mandates the Behavioral Health Crisis Outreach Response and Education Center at the University of Washington to develop a specialized training course for EMS personnel. This training will be recognized as an optional module for ongoing training and recertification, ensuring that first responders are better equipped to manage situations involving mental health crises. Additionally, the bill introduces an optional endorsement for EMS personnel in advanced behavioral health topics, such as overdose prevention and crisis de-escalation.

The legislation also establishes pilot projects within four behavioral health administrative services organizations. These projects will focus on creating best practices for coordinating responses to behavioral health emergencies, exploring billing options for services provided by EMS and law enforcement, and assessing the effectiveness of behavioral health training for first responders. The pilot program is set to run from January 2026 to July 2027, with a report on its findings due shortly after.

A key aspect of the discussion centered on reimbursement for services provided by trained EMS personnel. While the bill outlines that the healthcare authority will reimburse agencies employing endorsed individuals, questions remain about the payment methodology and criteria for Medicaid providers.

This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the need for specialized training in behavioral health emergencies, aiming to improve outcomes for individuals in crisis and enhance the overall effectiveness of emergency response teams in the community. As the bill progresses, it promises to address critical gaps in training and response, ultimately benefiting residents facing mental health challenges.