On March 4, Policy Fellow Charlotte Fleckenstein testified before the Appropriations Committee in support of HB 1049 – Behavioral Health Crisis Response Grant Program – Funding.
This bill requires the Governor to include $5 million in the annual budget bill for fiscal years 2027 through 2029 for the Behavioral Health Crisis Response Grant Program.
Counties are key providers of behavioral health services, often being the first point of contact for individuals in crisis. The Behavioral Health Crisis Response Grant Program has helped expand community-based crisis services, ensuring timely care for those in need. As demand for crisis services grows, the funding will enable counties to effectively meet community needs and provide timely interventions, reinforcing Maryland’s commitment to a comprehensive behavioral health system.
HB 1049 strengthens this vital program by providing a dedicated funding stream to sustain and enhance crisis response efforts. Predictable and stable funding will allow counties to improve service delivery, invest in mobile crisis teams, and expand access to behavioral health support, reducing the burden on emergency rooms and law enforcement.
HB 1049’s cross-file, SB 599, was heard on March 6 in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified in support of this bill.
SB 599 was heard in the opposite chamber, the Appropriations Committee, on March 25. MACo submitted written testimony in support of this bill.
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