SB429:

DBHDS and VSP; development of mental health and public safety mobile applications.

Bill Summary:

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; Department of State Police; mobile applications; mental health and public safety. Requires the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) to develop or obtain a mental health mobile application for suicide prevention and the provision of educational materials related to suicide prevention. The bill requires the mobile application to provide a means to directly connect to the 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources and the Secretary of Education to promote, market, and advertise the use of such application using existing resources. The bill also requires the Department of State Police to (i) develop or obtain a public safety mobile application to enable individuals in the Commonwealth to furnish confidential tips to the Department of State Police through text, audio, images, or video concerning a suspected, anticipated, or completed criminal violation or a school-related safety concern and (ii) develop a referral system to ensure that such confidential tips are referred to the chief law-enforcement officer of the relevant jurisdiction for proper coordination of response and investigation. The bill directs the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to promote, market, and advertise the use of such application using existing resources. The provisions of the bill related to an application developed by DBHDS have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2023. The provisions of the bill are contingent on funding in a general appropriation act.