Subcommittee reports HB 1578 to require OSIG to notify Behavioral Health Commission about problems at psychiatric facilities

Summary

House Bill 1578, companion to Senate Bill 885, was reported 7-0. The bill would add the Behavioral Health Commission to the list of entities the Office of the State Inspector General must keep informed about significant problems, abuses and deficiencies in state psychiatric facilities and private behavioral-health providers, patrons said.

The House General Laws subcommittee voted 7-0 to report House Bill 1578, a measure that would add the Behavioral Health Commission to the list of entities that the Office of the State Inspector General (OSIG) must keep informed regarding significant problems, abuses and deficiencies in state psychiatric facilities and private providers of behavioral health services.

Sponsor Delegate Campbell said the change would give the Behavioral Health Commission more direct access to OSIG investigations and updates; she told the panel that public comment to the commission has included concerns about potential human-rights violations and facility conditions. The bill clarifies that OSIG must keep the commission informed of investigative findings and progress on corrective actions.

Committee members moved and seconded to report the bill; the clerk closed the roll and the bill passed 7-0.

The bill will proceed as reported by the subcommittee.