Committee advances bill to target $36 million in opioid‑abatement funds for mobile crisis and residential treatment

Sen. Hill told the committee SB 25‑33 (as amended) seeks to ensure Tennessee uses opioid‑abatement settlement dollars for their intended purpose by directing a targeted statewide investment in substance‑use and mental‑health treatment capacity. He said the amendment would allocate about $36 million of the roughly $190 million of unallocated funds to mobile crisis response and residential treatment and would reserve 10% of future opioid settlement dollars for similar services.

"Two most urgent needs across our state are strengthening our mobile crisis system and addressing the shortage of residential treatment beds," Hill said, adding other states are prioritizing similar investments. Sen. Stevens registered a fiscal concern on using one‑time dollars for what could be recurring reimbursement needs and said he would vote no for that reason; Hill replied reimbursement questions are more appropriate for the finance committee.

The committee adopted the amendment and recorded a roll call that sent the bill to finance for consideration of funding details.