March in Review.

Visit our website to catch up with any blogs you may have missed!

madintheuk.com

#MadInTheUK #VoicesForChange #MentalHealthdebate #mentalhealthdiscourse #MentalHealthReform #PsychiatricSurvivor
#EndPsychAbuse #MentalHealthJustice

Can we build crisis care outside the broken mental health system? By Catherine Heseltine

madintheuk.com/2026/04/can-...

#MentalHealth #CrisisCare #Soteria #PeerSupport #MentalHealthReform #CommunityCare #TraumaInformed

March in Review.

Visit our website to catch up with any blogs you may have missed!

madintheuk.com

#MadInTheUK #VoicesForChange #MentalHealthdebate #mentalhealthdiscourse #MentalHealthReform #PsychiatricSurvivor
#EndPsychAbuse #MentalHealthJustice

Can we build crisis care outside the broken mental health system? By Catherine Heseltine

madintheuk.com/2026/04/can-...

#MentalHealth #CrisisCare #Soteria #PeerSupport #MentalHealthReform #CommunityCare #TraumaInformed

Senate defeats amendment on age cutoff but passes H.237 expanding prescribing by doctoral psychologists The Senate rejected an amendment that would have imposed an age-based barrier to prescribing by doctoral psychologists, then approved H.237 in concurrence after debate about protections for elderly patients and collaborative clinical protocols.

The Vermont Senate just passed H.237, allowing doctoral psychologists to prescribe medications while fiercely debating the importance of safeguards for elderly patients.

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#VT #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #VermontPsychology #MentalHealthReform #PatientProtection

Detention facility: board weighs $300M retrofit plan against a possible 2026 ballot for broader public‑safety package Commissioners spent an extended study‑session segment reviewing options for a decades‑old detention facility: staff proposed issuing Certificates of Participation (COPs) for a ~ $300M retrofit as a fiscally constrained 'plan B'; the sheriff and some commissioners discussed accelerating a ballot measure for a larger package (detention replacement plus behavioral health/detox/reentry services). The board asked staff to evaluate co‑occurring ballot options while moving ahead with COP planning.

Adams County officials are at a crossroads, debating a $300 million retrofit of an aging detention facility versus a bold ballot measure for comprehensive public safety improvements.

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#AdamsCounty #CO #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #MentalHealthReform

Adams County urges amendments to bill creating criminal civil‑confinement pathway, flags ABLE-account, liability concerns County staff warned a bill creating a court‑directed civil‑confinement pathway for criminal defendants with mental‑health or neurocognitive disorders would shift heavy workload and liability to county attorneys without funding; commissioners signaled support for seeking amendments. Separately, staff flagged HB 261347’s ABLE‑account rules for foster‑care youth as legally and operationally difficult and recommended close negotiation.

Adams County officials are raising alarms over a proposed bill that could dramatically increase workloads for county attorneys without any additional funding—could this be the tipping point for local legal resources?

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#AdamsCounty #CO #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthReform

March in Review.

Visit our website to catch up with any blogs you may have missed!

madintheuk.com

#MadInTheUK #VoicesForChange #MentalHealthdebate #mentalhealthdiscourse #MentalHealthReform #PsychiatricSurvivor
#EndPsychAbuse #MentalHealthJustice

Care without accountability is control.

We need independent oversight bodies with the power to inspect facilities and enforce human rights standards.

Healing spaces must be safe spaces.

#MentalHealthReform #HumanRights #Healthcare

Can we build crisis care outside the broken mental health system? By Catherine Heseltine

madintheuk.com/2026/04/can-...

#MentalHealth #CrisisCare #Soteria #PeerSupport #MentalHealthReform #CommunityCare #TraumaInformed

Panel expands who may make PTSD disability determinations for police pensions The committee approved House Bill 32-65 to allow psychologists (and other licensed behavioral practitioners) to make PTSD disability determinations for police pension retirement eligibility, a change sponsors said reduces duplicative exams and addresses psychiatrist shortages.

Oklahoma just made a groundbreaking move to streamline PTSD disability determinations for police pensions by allowing psychologists to take the lead!

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#OK #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #MentalHealthReform

March in Review.

Visit our website to catch up with any blogs you may have missed!

madintheuk.com

#MadInTheUK #VoicesForChange #MentalHealthdebate #mentalhealthdiscourse #MentalHealthReform #PsychiatricSurvivor
#EndPsychAbuse #MentalHealthJustice

Can we build crisis care outside the broken mental health system? By Catherine Heseltine

madintheuk.com/2026/04/can-...

#MentalHealth #CrisisCare #Soteria #PeerSupport #MentalHealthReform #CommunityCare #TraumaInformed

March in Review.

Visit our website to catch up with any blogs you may have missed!

madintheuk.com

#MadInTheUK #VoicesForChange #MentalHealthdebate #mentalhealthdiscourse #MentalHealthReform #PsychiatricSurvivor
#EndPsychAbuse #MentalHealthJustice

House Finance Committee advances HB263 and HB265 after final markup The committee voted to report House Bill 263 (finance) and House Bill 265 (mental health budget adjustments) out of committee with individual recommendations and authorized legislative staff to make technical and conforming edits.

The House Finance Committee has made significant strides by advancing crucial funding bills for finance and mental health, setting the stage for impactful changes in Alaska!

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#AK #AlaskaCommittee #CitizenPortal #LegislativeAccountability #MentalHealthReform #BudgetTransparency

Can we build crisis care outside the broken mental health system? By Catherine Heseltine

madintheuk.com/2026/04/can-...

#MentalHealth #CrisisCare #Soteria #PeerSupport #MentalHealthReform #CommunityCare #TraumaInformed

March in Review.

Visit our website to catch up with any blogs you may have missed!

madintheuk.com

#MadInTheUK #VoicesForChange #MentalHealthdebate #mentalhealthdiscourse #MentalHealthReform #PsychiatricSurvivor
#EndPsychAbuse #MentalHealthJustice

Sponsors and advocates spar over use‑of‑force language in emergency‑petition reform bill House Bill 860 would clarify force standards when law enforcement serves emergency petitions and allow limited extensions and data disclosures; supporters say the change protects officers and patients, while disability and civil‑rights advocates worry the language re‑emphasizes police use of force and could worsen outcomes for people in crisis.

A new bill in Maryland aims to clarify when law enforcement can use force during emergency petitions, but advocates warn it could worsen outcomes for those in crisis.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #MarylandEmergencyPetitions #PublicSafety #CrisisIntervention #MentalHealthReform

Assembly approves multiple consent-calendar bills in unanimous votes The New York State Assembly adopted a package of resolutions and consent-calendar bills largely by unanimous voice votes, including proclamations, amendments to the mental hygiene law and several public-health and social-services measures; most items recorded 140 ayes, 0 noes.

The New York State Assembly made history with a unanimous vote on a series of impactful resolutions, including official proclamations for Water Day and Brain Injury Awareness Month.

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#NY #NewYorkAssembly #CivicParticipation #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthReform

Votes at a glance: Assembly passes multiple consent-calendar bills, honors veterans' family On March 22 the Assembly moved a broad consent calendar that passed multiple bills (including mental hygiene, NYSERDA recommendations, and several social services and insurance-related measures) by unanimous recorded votes; the chamber also recognized the parents of Staff Sergeant Michael Allis.

The New York State Assembly made significant strides by passing crucial bills aimed at improving mental health treatment and honoring heroic veterans in a powerful session.

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#NY #CitizenPortal #SubstanceUseTreatment #MentalHealthReform #NewYorkAssembly #VeteransHonor

March in Review.

Visit our website to catch up with any blogs you may have missed!

madintheuk.com

#MadInTheUK #VoicesForChange #MentalHealthdebate #mentalhealthdiscourse #MentalHealthReform #PsychiatricSurvivor
#EndPsychAbuse #MentalHealthJustice

Senate Bill S.788 would require patient consent before AI assists in therapy; committee adopts amendments and reports it favorably The Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee advanced S.788, which would require licensed health professionals to get written informed consent before using AI in therapy or psychotherapy and forbids AI from making independent therapeutic decisions; the committee adopted a subcommittee amendment to create a new Chapter 86 and approved the bill as amended after debate over definition scope, real-time transcription and open versus closed AI.

South Carolina's Senate just advanced a groundbreaking bill requiring patient consent for AI use in therapy, ensuring that your mental health care remains in safe hands!

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#SC #AIEthics #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthReform #SouthCarolinaHealthcare #PatientPrivacy

Committee hears bill to preserve reimbursement for clinical trainees in mental‑health and SUD care Senate File 4018 would clarify licensed supervision and reimbursement for clinical trainees delivering mental‑health and substance‑use services, a step advocates say is needed to protect treatment capacity; testimony from provider groups urged passage and the bill was laid over.

A groundbreaking bill in Minnesota aims to secure reimbursement for clinical trainees, a move that could prevent a crisis in mental health services and reduce wait times for those in need.

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#MN #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthReform #MinnesotaMentalHealth

Committee hears testimony on psychotropic informed‑consent bill; sponsor agrees to roll for further drafting Senate debate and testimony highlighted safety concerns about psychotropic prescribing to children and adults; the sponsor agreed to roll the bill to the next calendar to refine language after testimony from families and national experts.

A new amendment aims to enhance informed consent for psychotropic medications, but could it also create barriers for those who need treatment?

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#TN #PatientSafety #TennesseePsychiatry #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthReform #InformedConsent

State and health systems report progress on three behavioral health builds in Bismarck, Williston and Grand Forks Representatives from CHI Saint Alexius, Altru and project partners updated lawmakers on three behavioral health projects: a 30‑bed retrofit in Bismarck (target June 2027), a 10‑bed unit in Williston (target December 2026), and a Grand Forks build (target March 2027), all funded in part with state grants.

Exciting progress is underway on three major behavioral health projects in North Dakota, with renovations and new facilities set to transform care by 2027!

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#ND #CitizenPortal #NorthDakotaBehavioralHealth #MentalHealthReform #HealthcareAccessibility #CommunityPartnerships

Senate Public Safety Committee advances package of public‑safety bills, including transport, ambulance and infrastructure measures The Committee on Public Safety gave due‑pass recommendations to multiple bills on March 17, 2026, including HB2134 (critical‑infrastructure restrictions), HB2404 (behavioral‑health transport), HB2402 (ambulance certificates), HB2673 (inmate mental‑health study committee), HB2253 (employee testimony protections), HB2270 (county logo/seal control) and HB2941 (motorcycle lane conduct).

The Arizona Senate Committee has just advanced a groundbreaking package of public-safety bills that could reshape critical infrastructure, mental health transport, and more!

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#AZ #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthReform #PublicSafetyLegislation #ArizonaPublicSafety

Committee reviews HB52 after DOJ findings; bill would expand transparency, inspections and reporting for minors in psychiatric hospitals Representative Maxine Divert told the committee HB52 responds to a DOJ finding of ADA violations and would require weekly confidential guardian contact, unannounced inspections, annual DHSS reporting on seclusion and restraint and 72‑hour notifications after such incidents; fiscal notes outline staffing and data‑collection issues.

A crucial bill aimed at reforming how Alaska treats minors in psychiatric hospitals is under review, promising increased transparency and vital protections after alarming DOJ findings.

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#AK #CitizenPortal #ChildrensRights #MentalHealthReform #AlaskaMinors #TransparencyInGovernment

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madintheuk.com

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Visit our website to catch up with any blogs you may have missed!

madintheuk.com

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#EndPsychAbuse #MentalHealthJustice

Benzie County commissioners adopt hazard-plan update, approve contract and spending measures At their Feb. 13 meeting, the Benzie County Board of Commissioners adopted the county's five-year Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, approved a jail mental-health contract amendment and a deputies' 12-hour-shift agreement, and allocated $20,565 in opioid settlement funds across three local programs.

Benzie County is taking big steps forward by adopting a crucial hazard mitigation plan and allocating funds for local mental health and emergency response initiatives!

Learn more here

#BenzieCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #EmergencyResponse #MentalHealthReform #YouthEducation