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Minutes for HB2281 - Committee on Health and Human Services

Short Title

Establishing and implementing 988 as the suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline in Kansas.

Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 15, 2022

Patrick Fucik, on behalf of T-Mobile, provided testimony in support of HB2281 (Attachment 1). . Mr. Fucik stated that T-Mobile has worked closely with the Chairwoman and KDADS over the last two years to come up with the legislation that all stakeholders can agree to. T-Mobile does support the imposition of the 20 cents per line fee that is included in the legislation. With the rise in suicides, this is a necessary piece of legislation.

Mr. Fucik responded to questions from the committee.

Monica Kurz, Vice President for External Programming, Kansas Suicide Prevention HQ (KSPHQ), provided testimony in support of HB2281 (Attachment 2). Ms. Kurz stated that unfortunately, suicide death are rising for all age groups in Kansas. The problem is especially pronounced in youths. Analysis from KDHE shows youth age 12-17 had a significant increase in suicide related visits to emergency rooms in 2021 compared to 2019. The comparison showed a 68% increase from 2019 to 2021. There is an increase in the number of people reaching out to suicide hotlines. While there was a 69% increase in calls from 2016 to 2020, the system lacked the resources and partnerships to answer all of those calls. Fortunately, KDADS made an investment in the National Suicide Prevention Hotline that led to an increase in the number of calls from Kansans by in-state, local crisis contact centers. The grant enabled KSPHQ to increase the volunteer and paid counseling staff, expand the training program and overcome challenges from the pandemic. As the July 16th go live date approaches, it is imperative that the state continue to invest in the state's ability to respond to the mental health crisis. This includes staffing, technology and improvements in training. Ms. Kurz stated that with adequate funding, the 988 system will meet the growing demand for crisis hotline services, increase the immediate safety  of those who call the hotline, reduce the need for law enforcement to respond to mental health crises, and reduce the utilization of 911 for callers experiencing a mental health crisis.

Ms. Kurz responded to questions from the committee.

Kyle Kessler, Executive Director, Association of Community Mental health Centers of Kansas, provided testimony in support of HB2281 (Attachment 3). Mr Kessler noted that the statistics around suicides, especially youth suicides are a great concern to his association. For years, the association has referred to the rate of death by suicide as a public mental health crisis. Mr. Kessler provided a chart noting the trend in suicide deaths from 2014-2020. An additional chart broke the deaths done by age group. The transitioning of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to the 988 number will make it easier for individuals to know what number to call when in crisis. Mr. Kessler noted that the 988 program needs sustainable funding. It was recommended that a fee be collected from each cellular phone line to support the program.

Joan Tammany, Executive Director, COMCARE of Sedgwick County, provided testimony in support of HB2281 (Attachment 4). It was stated that COMCARE is one of three lifeline answering centers in Kansas. In the past 6 months it has been able to increase its response rate from 60-65% to 85%. This will not be sufficient come July 16th when the required response rate is 90%. This will require increased staffing, training and technology. This is critical as the prevalence of Kansans experiencing emotional crisis is increasing. COMCARE has been reaching out proactively to many now being in significant distress. Its mobile crisis activity has increased by 20%. Ms. Tammany noted that adequate and stable funding for the 988 implementation is paramount. 

Nick Wood, Associate Director, InterHab, provided testimony in support of HB2281 (Attachment 5). While most callers to 988 will not need additional crisis services, a statewide Mobile Crisis Response system will be available for those that do need services. Specially trained community based staff should be available to provide individual or disability-specific training to teams. Crisis intervention should be implemented in a comprehensive, system linkage approach. This should include deescalating techniques of acknowledgement, validation and the providing of services.

Amy Campbell, Kansas Mental Health Coalition, provided testimony in support of HB2281 (Attachment 6). Converting and expanding our current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to a fully functional front door approach will fill a glaring gap in our current continuum of care. More Kansas are turning to crisis call centers when they need help to de-escalate a crisis or getting to long term support. 988 can be the solution if it is well planned and funded. This requires a sustainable funding source.

Ryan Reza, National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), provided testimony in support of HB2281 (Attachment 7). Mr. Reza noted that in many communities, people in crisis do not get the right services at the right time. One in four people killed by police have a mental illness and each year, two million people booked into jail have a mental illness. The 988 crisis response can change how we respond to people experiencing a mental health crisis. NAMI supports the 3 elements of a crisis response system: 24/7 crisis call center hubs, mobile crisis teams, and crisis stabilization centers. NAMI Kansas supports the 988 vision that will provide a respectful, dignified, and effective response to people in need.

Jason Watkins, Wichita Chamber of Commerce, provided testimony in support of HB2281 (Attachment 8). Mr. Watkins noted that a number of years ago the Chamber identified workforce, or the lack thereof, as the number one issue of its members and the slowing of economic growth. With further review it became evident the unaddressed issue of mental and behavioral health treatments were a significant contributor to the workforce challenges, but also the the increased costs for corrections and law enforcement. It was determined that addressing mental and behavioral health issues benefits business, local and state government budgets and the community as a whole. HB2281 is not a fix all. This legislation will improve lives based on its increased funding of Community Behavioral Health Centers. It is good public policy.

At the request of the Chairman, Andrew Brown, Commissioner of Behavioral Health Services, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, responded to questions from the committee.

Proponent Written only testimony was provided by:

Jeffrey Easter, Sedgwick County Sheriff (Attachment 9)

Michelle McCormick, Director of Victim Services, Office of the Attorney General (Attachment 10)

Lindsie Ford, Public Policy Attorney, Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (Attachment 11)

Rachel Marsh, CEO, Children’s Alliance of Kansas (Attachment 12)

Tim DeWeese, Director, Johnson County Mental Health (Attachment 13)

Andrew Brown, Commissioner of Behavioral Health Services, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (Attachment 14)

Shelly May, Deputy Director, Johnson County Developmental Supports (Attachment 15)

Emily Hage, President & CEO, firstcall (Attachment 16)

Liz Long, Policy Analyst, Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities (Attachment 17)

Billie Hall, President & CEO, Sunflower Foundation (Attachment 18)

Sheila Officer, Private Citizen (Attachment 19)

Victoria Jackson, Private Citizen (Attachment 20)

Kristen Bray, Private Citizen (Attachment 21)

Jane Gruber, Private Citizen (Attachment 22)

Barb Bowers, Private Citizen (Attachment 23)

Carolyn Evers, Private Citizen (Attachment 24)

Dr. Joy Koesten, Private Citizen (Attachment 25)

Heather Carty, Private Citizen (Attachment 26)

Jenna Groth, Private Citizen (Attachment 27)

John Esau, Private Citizen (Attachment 28)

Kelly Reding, Private Citizen (Attachment 29)

Lori Ann Barnes, Private Citizen (Attachment 30)

McClain Bryant Macklin, Director of Policy and strategic Initiatives, Health Forward Foundation (Attachment 31)

Barbara Mares, Area Director, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (Attachment 32)

The hearing on HB2281 was closed.