2015 -- S 1013

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LC002947

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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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

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     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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