PRINTER'S NO. 255
No. 257 Session of 2001
INTRODUCED BY ORIE, THOMAS, WOJNAROSKI, LAUGHLIN, DeWEESE,
CAPPABIANCA, YOUNGBLOOD, ALLEN, BEBKO-JONES, BELARDI, BARRAR,
GEORGE, WILT, YUDICHAK, READSHAW, FRANKEL, GEIST,
BENNINGHOFF, SCHULER, RAYMOND, BELFANTI, DeLUCA, MUNDY,
WASHINGTON, PISTELLA, WALKO, SURRA, SOLOBAY, CURRY, TULLI,
SHANER, KENNEY, McNAUGHTON, HARHART, R. MILLER, MELIO, MANN,
STABACK, DALEY, C. WILLIAMS, GRUCELA, STERN, TIGUE, HESS,
McCALL, STEELMAN, HENNESSEY, E. Z. TAYLOR, L. I. COHEN,
BISHOP, SCRIMENTI, J. EVANS, JOSEPHS, SATHER, HARHAI,
PETRARCA, COLAFELLA, SEMMEL, CLYMER AND SAYLOR,
JANUARY 29, 2001
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,
JANUARY 29, 2001
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An
2 act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public
3 welfare laws of the Commonwealth," providing for grant
4 program for empowerment of mental health clients and family
5 members.
6 The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
7 (1) Persons with mental disabilities and their family
8 members make significant contributions to the development of
9 a high-quality and cohesive mental health system in this
10 Commonwealth.
11 (2) The delivery of appropriate mental health services
12 and supports to persons with mental disabilities is improved
13 by the involvement of clients and family members in the
14 development of treatment and service plans.
1 (3) The effectiveness of mental health treatment and
2 services is enhanced when clients and family members are
3 afforded choices about methods of delivery.
4 (4) The participation of clients and family members in
5 the mental health system is improved through peer supports.
6 (5) Access to information is necessary to ensure that
7 clients and family members participate in the mental health
8 system to their fullest capacity.
9 (6) It is the intent of the General Assembly to improve
10 the role and leadership of mental health system clients and
11 their family members in the development, implementation and
12 oversight of mental health policies in this Commonwealth, as
13 well as the exercise of consumer choice in the determination
14 of mental health treatment and service programs.
15 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
16 hereby enacts as follows:
17 Section 1. Article XI of the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31,
18 No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code, is amended by adding a
19 subarticle to read:
20 (e) Grant Program for Empowerment of Mental Health
21 Clients and Family Members
22 Section 1161. Request for Proposals.--The department shall
23 issue a request for proposals in order to establish and expand
24 empowerment programs for mental health clients and their family
25 members by not later than October 1 in any year in which funds
26 are provided in the annual budget for this purpose. The
27 department shall make grants to counties on the basis of
28 proposals meeting the criteria set forth in this section.
29 Section 1162. Content of Proposals.--Proposals solicited
30 under section 1161 may be submitted by any county and shall
20010H0257B0255 - 2 -
1 include all of the following:
2 (1) A description of how the proposal will result in the
3 establishment, expansion or improvement of training, information
4 and referral services for clients and family members.
5 (2) A description of how the proposal will result in the
6 establishment, expansion or improvement of the role of clients
7 and family members in local policy development, implementation
8 and oversight activities.
9 (3) A description of how the proposal will result in the
10 establishment, expansion or improvement of the use of clients
11 and family members in staff positions within the department.
12 (4) A description of how the proposal will result in the
13 establishment or expansion of self-help and other client-run
14 programs.
15 (5) A description of how the proposal will result in the
16 establishment of family-to-family support activities.
17 (6) A description of how the proposal will result in
18 improved decision making and choices for clients and family
19 members.
20 (7) A description of how clients and family members played a
21 substantive role in the development of the proposal.
22 (8) A description of how the county will continue to
23 implement its client and family-member empowerment plan after
24 the State grant funding authorized under this section is
25 terminated.
26 Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
L26L67JAM/20010H0257B0255 - 3 -