Expansion Of Mental Health Services Passes House
DENVER (AP) - A proposal to expand mental health services in Colorado by establishing a crisis response system passed the state House and heads to the governor's desk.
The governor's office and health officials began discussions on plans to increase mental health services within days of the July theater shootings.
The bill sets up walk-in and mobile crisis services, including a 24-hour crisis hotline. The bill passed the House Monday.
Gov. John Hickenlooper and state mental health leaders called for the initiative in December to expand services, and lawmakers set aside about $19.7 million in the next budget year to implement. The measure also seeks to increase public awareness about mental health services with informational campaigns on television, radio, and online.
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