SB 940 Mental health screening of prisoners at local correctional facilities

About SB-940

Mental health screening of inmates at local correctional facilities. Requires that the staff of a local correctional facility screen persons admitted to the facility for mental illness using a scientifically validated instrument designated by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. The bill provides that if the screening indicates that a person may have a mental illness, an assessment of his need for mental services shall be conducted within 72 hours of the time of the screening by a qualified mental health professional, which is defined in the bill. The bill requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services, in consultation with the State Board of Corrections and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, to (i) ensure that local and regional correctional facilities are aware of the aforementioned requirements and (ii) develop and deliver a training program for employees of such facilities regarding the administration of such instrument. This bill incorporates SB 933.