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make an appropriation to contract for mental health insurance for certain first responder organizations and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota will appropriate funding to provide mental health insurance coverage for first responders through contracted insurance plans. The bill makes major changes to state employee health insurance laws and repeals several outdated sections of state law governing employee benefits. This legislation is declared an emergency, allowing it to take effect immediately.

make an appropriation to provide grants for the creation of regional crisis diversion centers and to declare an emergency.

HB 1270 provides state funding for grants to create regional crisis diversion centers—facilities designed to help people experiencing mental health or substance use crises as an alternative to emergency rooms or jail. The bill amends existing law governing mental health services and crisis programs to establish how these centers will be funded and operated across South Dakota regions.

make an appropriation to provide for a crisis stabilization unit and to declare an emergency.

SB 144 appropriates state funding to establish a crisis stabilization unit, which is a facility designed to provide short-term mental health and behavioral support to people in crisis as an alternative to emergency room visits or hospitalization. The bill declares this funding an emergency appropriation, meaning the money becomes available immediately rather than waiting for the standard budget cycle.

make an appropriation for behavioral and mental health service support in crisis stabilization and to declare an emergency.

SB 186 appropriates state funding to support behavioral and mental health services focused on crisis stabilization programs. The bill repeals an existing statute (§7-8-16) and declares an emergency to allow the funding to take effect immediately rather than following the normal delayed implementation process.

establish provisions regarding dementia.

create a peer support services program.

South Dakota's Department of Social Services will create a new peer support services program and establish licensing requirements for peer support specialists. The department will write rules covering what peer support specialists can do, how they become licensed, renewal procedures, continuing education, supervision standards, and ethical guidelines to protect people receiving these services. Funding for the program will be appropriated through the state's regular budget process.

To reauthorize the Mental Health Services Delivery Task Force for the limited purposes of monitoring the growth and development of current initiatives in the delivery of mental health services, reviewing and proposing adjustments to the levels of funding, and ensuring that the statutory and regulatory framework complements intended outcomes.

HCR 6008 extends the life of the Mental Health Services Delivery Task Force, a state committee that monitors how mental health services are being delivered and developed in South Dakota. The task force will now focus on tracking progress of current mental health initiatives, recommending changes to funding levels, and making sure state laws and regulations support the intended outcomes of these services.