§ 20-46-601 — Tracking and treatment of persons suffering from mental illness and substance abuse - Definition

(a) The General Assembly finds that: (1) Persons who suffer from mental illness and who abuse various chemical substances contribute disproportionately to the problem of violence in our society; and (2) It is the purpose of this section to establish a utilization review and treatment program to reduce violence among persons who suffer from mental illness and who abuse chemical substances without a costly expansion of the Arkansas State Hospital. (b) For purposes of this section, "client" means a person diagnosed to be addicted to drugs or alcohol who has been committed to the custody of the Secretary of the Department of Human Services pursuant to § 5-2-314 as a result of acquittal, on the ground of mental disease or defect, of an offense involving bodily injury to another person or serious risk of such injury. (c) The Department of Human Services shall establish a system to: (1) Provide case management of clients; (2) Provide one (1) or more secure residential treatment facility or facilities designed to treat clients; (3) Provide community crisis stabilization beds for clients; (4) Provide client assessment and admission to treatment programs as necessary; and (5) Review treatment utilization and track clients. (d) The department is authorized to enter into contracts with any public or private nonprofit entity for the purpose of implementing this section.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 5197, eff. 7/1/2019. Acts 1995, No. 1208, §§ 1-4.