Committee green lights emergency detention transport bill

The Assembly Committee on Mental Health approved a bill Tuesday that would clarify that law enforcement agencies can contract with third parties to transport those in mental health crisis for emergency detention.

The legislation also directs the Department of Health Services to pursue federal approval to reimburse emergency detention transports of Medicaid beneficiaries.

Lawmakers also signed off on an amendment that requires DHS to establish criteria for third-party vendors that aren’t law enforcement agencies or ambulance services to obtain Medicaid reimbursement.

The amendment address concerns raised by Disability Rights Wisconsin and others that the bill didn’t contain such criteria for providers, like requirements that they’re trained on safety, mental illness and other topics.

Disability Rights Wisconsin Milwaukee Office Director Barbara Beckert said the amended bill “provides an opportunity to move Wisconsin forward by potentially decriminalizing the transport process.” It would also establish standards so it’s conducted in a safe, humane and accountable way, she said.

She hopes those behind the bill can work together on ways to expand community crisis and mental health services so fewer people need emergency detention transports.

“That should be the goal that we all share, that fewer people need to be transported because they’re receiving services in their community,” she said.

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