2024 -- S 2557 AS AMENDED

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EDUCATION,

TRAINING, AND COORDINATION FUND

     Introduced By: Senators DiPalma, Picard, Burke, Lauria, Miller, and Tikoian

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 100

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND COORDINATION FUND

     23-100-1. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter, the following words shall be construed as follows unless the context

clearly indicates otherwise:

     (1) “Behavioral health” means treatment and services for mental health and substance use

disorders.

     (2) “Eligible organization(s)” means the Substance Use and Mental Health Leadership

Council of RI, and any other organization certified pursuant to the provisions of § 23-100-2.

     (3) “Eligible services” means the programs used for educational purposes, training, and

coordination of mental health or substance use disorder treatment providers.

     23-100-2. Behavioral Health Education, Training, and Coordination Fund established

-- Uses of the fund.

     (a) There is established a separate fund within the general fund to be called the behavioral

health education, training, and coordination fund which shall be administered by the general

treasurer in accordance with the same laws and fiscal procedures as the general funds of the state.

The fund shall consist of sums collected as a result of the taxpayer check-off as provided for in §

44-30-2.12. The general treasurer is authorized to accept any grant, devise, bequest, donation, gift,

or assignment of money, bonds, or other valuable securities for deposit in and credit of the

behavioral health education, training, and coordination fund.

     (b) The monies received under this chapter and § 44-30-2.12 shall be made available and

distributed by the treasurer annually by September 30, or as soon thereafter as the application is

approved, to eligible organizations certified by the department of behavioral healthcare,

developmental disabilities and hospitals for the calendar year.

     (c) Upon distribution to eligible organizations with an approved application, the monies

shall be used exclusively to provide education, training, or coordination of behavioral health

treatment or service providers.

     (d) Upon receipt of the annual application from an eligible organization as provided in this

section, the director of the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and

hospitals shall review each application to determine if it complies with the intent and requirements

of this chapter. Upon a finding by the director of the department of behavioral healthcare,

developmental disabilities and hospitals that the application complies with the intent and

requirements of this chapter, the director of the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental

disabilities and hospitals shall certify that the eligible organization has an approved application for

the calendar year. The director of the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental

disabilities, and hospitals shall provide notice of approval or denial of certification not later than

September 15 to each eligible organization that has submitted an annual application.

     (f) The director of the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and

hospitals is authorized to promulgate any rules or regulations and prescribe forms necessary to

implement the provisions of this chapter.

     SECTION 2. Section 44-30-2.11 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-30 entitled "Personal

Income Tax" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     44-30-2.11. Refund deduction for contribution to the substance use and mental health

leadership council of RI.

     (a) There shall be provided as a deduction from any refund from the Rhode Island personal

income tax otherwise due to a taxpayer for a taxable year a contribution to the substance use and

mental health leadership council of RI. The provision for the contribution shall appear on the state

personal income tax return as follows:

     Substance use and mental health leadership council of RI.

     Check if you wish to contribute

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     ___________ $1.00

     ___________ $5.00

     ___________ $10.00

     ___________ $ _______________ (write in amount of your tax REFUND for this

program.)

     (b) The tax administrator shall annually forward by August 1, all contributions made to the

substance use and mental health leadership council of RI to the general treasurer to be deposited in

the fund created in § 23-14-3. The general treasurer shall annually distribute the proceeds of the

fund as prescribed in chapter 14 of title 23.

     (c) The provisions of this section shall commence for returns filed for the tax year ending

December 31, 2018, and shall sunset and expire for the tax year ending December 31, 2023.

     SECTION 3. Chapter 44-30 of the General Laws entitled "Personal Income Tax" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     44-30-2.12. Refund deduction for contribution to the behavioral health education,

training, and coordination fund.

     (a) There shall be provided as a deduction from any refund from the Rhode Island personal

income tax otherwise due to a taxpayer for a taxable year a contribution to the behavioral health

education, training, and coordination fund. The provision for the contribution shall appear on the

state personal income tax return as follows:

     Behavioral health education, training, and coordination fund.

     Check if you wish to contribute

     ___________ $1.00

     ___________ $5.00

     ___________ $10.00

     ___________ $ _______________ (write in amount of your tax REFUND for this

program.)

     (b) The tax administrator shall annually forward by August 1, contributions made to the

behavioral health education, training, and coordination fund to the general treasurer to be deposited

in the fund created in § 23-100-2. The general treasurer shall annually distribute proceeds of the

fund as prescribed in chapter 100 of title 23.

     (c) The provision of this section shall commence for returns filed for the tax year ending

December 31, 2024.

     SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EDUCATION,

TRAINING, AND COORDINATION FUND

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     This act would establish the behavioral health education, training, and coordination fund

to receive the checkoff contributions from Rhode Island personal income tax returns for tax years

ending on or after December 31, 2024. This act would further define the "eligible organization(s)"

to apply for receipt of the funds as the substance use and mental health leadership council of Rhode

Island.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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