1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; directing mental health
1.3 	epidemiological studies; providing for a mental health
1.4 	epidemiologist within the Department of Health;
1.5 	appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in
1.6 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 145.
1.7 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.8 	Section 1. [145.565] MENTAL HEALTH EPIDEMIOLOGY.
1.9 	(a) The commissioner of health shall conduct
1.10 	epidemiological studies on the status of mental illness in
1.11 	children and adults and the treatment of mental illness in the
1.12 	state.  The commissioner shall hire a qualified epidemiologist
1.13 	with experience related to psychiatric disorders to conduct the
1.14 	studies.  The epidemiologist shall:
1.15 	(1) gather data on psychiatric disorders in the state,
1.16 	including data relating to the number of Minnesotans with these
1.17 	disorders, the treatment being provided, where and how the
1.18 	treatment is being provided, and uncompensated mental health
1.19 	care services;
1.20 	(2) analyze the data to determine particular disorders that
1.21 	are increasing in prevalence and identify particular disorders
1.22 	that are being undertreated; and 
1.23 	(3) distribute the data to psychiatrists, primary care
1.24 	physicians, and clinics that treat the mentally ill.
1.25 	(b) The state mental health epidemiologist shall collect
1.26 	and review data relating to access to inpatient and outpatient
2.1 	psychiatric services.  The review shall include a determination
2.2 	of how frequently patients are diverted to another health care
2.3 	service area or state.  The commissioner shall issue an annual
2.4 	report to the legislature that identifies access problems and
2.5 	capacity constraints in the state's mental health treatment
2.6 	system, both public and private.  The report may include
2.7 	recommendations to improve access to mental health care services
2.8 	in the state.
2.9 	(c) The epidemiologist shall work with professional health
2.10 	care provider associations and mental health advocacy groups to
2.11 	collect information on best practices for medically necessary
2.12 	mental health care screening, diagnosis, and treatment.  The
2.13 	commissioner shall make the department's best practice
2.14 	information available, through the department's newsletter, to
2.15 	all physicians, mental health professionals, and mental health
2.16 	clinics in the state.

2.17 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 2.18 	$....... in fiscal year 2006 is appropriated from the
2.19 	health care access fund to the commissioner of health to
2.20 	implement the mental health epidemiology duties under Minnesota
2.21 	Statutes, section 145.565.