Appropriators roll up state psychiatric facility lines and restore some direct‑service funding in DMH; members seek details

During markup the committee proposed consolidating the Department of Mental Health’s state psychiatric and residential facility funding into single roll‑up lines to give the department more flexibility and (committee leaders said) create potential efficiencies. Chair Deaton characterized the change as a departure from prior practice: "we are rolling a lot up into one line, to give the department that flexibility." He said a 15% flexibility cap would apply to community services.

Committee discussion noted offsetting mechanics: some line items appear reduced on paper because they have been rolled into broader lines, not because services were eliminated. Representative Chappell supported the consolidation as a way to seek efficiencies, while others urged close oversight to ensure savings are realized and that community placements and accreditation concerns are addressed.

The committee also restored several DMH items that had been proposed for reduction, including SDS and day‑hab funding and other direct services; members emphasized that restoration was intended to preserve existing service capacity. The chair pointed members to language in the bill that preserves current rate caps and restored lines for core services.

Next steps: Staff and the department will follow up with detailed language and expected savings estimates; the committee said it will monitor community impacts and rate language to ensure direct‑service providers maintain capacity.

Ending: The broader budget discussion continued after the DMH section; members flagged additional departmental follow‑up and asked for technical corrections before the next markup.