| R 410 |
| 2015 -- S 1013 Enacted 06/23/2015 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS CREATE AN EVIDENCE-BASED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAM FOR INCARCERATED ADULTS WITH CO-OCCURRING SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL DISORDERS |
| Introduced By: Senator Joshua Miller |
| Date Introduced: June 23, 2015 |
| WHEREAS, The large number of adults with behavioral health disorders, mental |
| illnesses, substance use disorders, or both, and who are arrested and convicted of criminal |
| offenses, pose a challenge for correctional and health administrators responsible for their |
| confinement, rehabilitation, treatment, and supervision; and |
| WHEREAS, Correctional facilities often lack the resources to provide the kinds of |
| services many of these individuals need for recovery and to avoid re-incarceration; and |
| WHEREAS, According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services |
| Administration (SAMHSA), the criminal justice system is the single largest source of referral to |
| the public substance abuse treatment system, with probation and parole treatment admissions |
| representing the highest proportion of these referrals; and |
| WHEREAS, The corrections, mental health, and substance use disorder systems share a |
| commitment to help these individuals successfully address their needs and avoid criminal justice |
| involvement, yet each system has its own screening and assessment tools and research-based |
| practices; and |
| WHEREAS, Although there are many examples of innovative and effective |
| collaborations among corrections, substance use disorder and mental health providers, The |
| Council of State Governments suggests a truly integrated framework that can help officials at the |
| systems level direct limited resources to where they can be most effective in achieving both |
| public safety and healthcare goals; and |
| WHEREAS, Governor Raimondo and other top state officials convened a daylong |
| conference to discuss health care issues that included the issues surrounding adults with |
| behavioral health needs under correctional supervision; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations |
| hereby respectfully requests the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental |
| Disabilities and Hospitals, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and the |
| Department of Corrections to create an integrated evidence-based behavioral health care program |
| for incarcerated adults with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to send |
| duly certified copies of this resolution to the Director of the Department of Behavioral |
| Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals, the Executive Secretary of the Executive |
| Office of Health and Human Services, and the Director of the Department of Corrections. |
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| LC002947 |
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