Governor Tim Walz Ceremonially Signs and Celebrates Mental Health Package

Statement

Governor Tim Walz held a ceremonial bill signing and celebration for the mental health package today. This package invests in the state's mental health system which will increase hospital bed capacity, attract new mental health care professionals, and expand the use of mobile crisis services. This legislation also includes $30 million to create an improved system to better serve those involved in the criminal justice system who are found not competent to stand trial.

"This is a big step in the right direction when it comes to addressing mental health in Minnesota," said Governor Walz. "Children, families, and providers need this support to respond to and prevent crises. These investments will provide more accessible resources for aspiring providers, clinics and hospitals, schools, adult day programs, and children across the state. I am proud of the bipartisan effort to prioritize the health of Minnesotans."

Chapter 99, HF2725, allows hospitals to increase mental health bed capacity across the state and allocates a total of $92.7 million in funding for a variety of mental health initiatives, including:

Nearly $13 million to support children and youth experiencing mental health crises, as well as provisions to establish a first episode of psychosis grant program and to set parameters for children's residential facilities to provide crisis stabilization for children and youth for up to 30 days;

Nearly $11 million over three years in adult mental health initiative services;

$9.6 million for mobile mental health crisis services; and

$4.1 million to fund grants and loan forgiveness opportunities for mental health professionals and providers.

The bill was officially signed into law on June 2, 2022.

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