House Lawmakers Unveil Bipartisan Children’s Mental Health Bill
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State Rep. Tammy Exum of West Hartford speaks at a press conference Feb. 18 about a bill concerning children's mental health unveiled by a bipartisan group of lawmakers. Photo credit: Christine Stuart, CTNewsJunkie
State Rep. Tammy Exum of West Hartford is one of the sponsors of House Bill 5001 – An Act Concerning Children’s Mental Health.
By Hugh McQuaid, CTNewsJunkie.com
A bipartisan group of House lawmakers announced a sprawling set of legislative proposals Friday designed to collectively address dire shortfalls in the availability of mental health services for Connecticut children.
During a late-morning press conference in the state Capitol building, representatives from both parties unveiled a 103-page bill containing more than 70 sections with provisions largely aimed at developing a mental health treatment workforce, a sector revealed to be woefully inadequate to handle the surge of need? Fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A lot of lives and a lot of young lives have been impacted by the pandemic, and a mental health crisis that existed prior to the pandemic, it is only worsened now,” House Minority Leader Jason Rojas said. “It seems over the last couple of months, every other day, I’m talking with a friend or a colleague, or someone at work, whose child is experiencing something like this.”
“I’m so proud of this comprehensive bill because it should truly provide long overdue support for Connecticut children and families,” said Rep. Tammy Exum said in a statement. “Each component of this legislation presents an opportunity to transform how mental health services are administered, including the important component of addressing workforce issues that currently prevent some children from accessing professionals who are able to provide timely quality care.”
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