Legislature passes major overhaul to public health system, other human services programs

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Legislature passed several bills addressing human service needs within the state.

A major lift for the 2021 Legislature was overhauling the state’s public health system. With the passage of HB 1152, the state will organize county health services into four regional comprehensive public health districts. The public health districts will be led by a regional health officer who will coordinate shared public health services across local health jurisdictions. The bill also establishes the Public Health Advisory Board within the Department of Health as well as the Foundational Public Health Services Steering Committee. The steering committee is charged with identifying and developing foundational public health services funding recommendations which will then be authorized by the advisory board. Additionally, HB 1152 requires the state public health system to provide an annual report on funding distribution to the Legislature.

Last year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules that established 988 as the new, nationwide phone number for Americans suffering a mental health crisis. HB 1477 lays the groundwork for using the 988 number within the state and for how the state will fund, expand, and enhance the current crisis response system. HB 1477 requires the Department of Health (DOH) and the Health Care Authority (HCA) to collaborate and establish state crisis call center hubs and an enhanced crisis response system in preparation for implementing the 988 hotline. The 988 system will be funded through a new tax on voice and internet connections starting at 30 cents per connection in October 2021, before stepping up to 50 cents on January 1, 2023.