EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

1-1 Whereas, The population of persons who are mentally ill and persons

1-2 who are affected with mental retardation residing in this state has increased

1-3 dramatically during this past decade; and

1-4 Whereas, There has been a growth in the need for community-based

1-5 treatment as a result of the deinstitutionalization of persons who are

1-6 mentally ill and persons who are affected with mental retardation; and

1-7 Whereas, Already overcrowded jails are housing persons who are

1-8 mentally ill without the resources or personnel to provide the treatment or

1-9 social services that are required; and

1-10 Whereas, Youth suicide, which is preventable with early intervention

1-11 and treatment, is the third leading cause of death among young Americans;

1-12 and

1-13 Whereas, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that

1-14 between 1980 and 1994, the suicide rate for persons from 10 to 14 years of

1-15 age increased by 120 percent; and

1-16 Whereas, The coordination of services provided to persons who are

1-17 mentally ill by law enforcement agencies, the courts, emergency

2-1 management agencies, and crisis and case management teams is required to

2-2 ensure that treatment is provided to persons who are mentally ill efficiently

2-3 and in the least restrictive environment; and

2-4 Whereas, The delivery of mental health services requires coordinated

2-5 community-based programs that address rural and urban needs, inpatient

2-6 services, services to substitute for inpatient treatment, crisis treatment,

2-7 medication, case management, housing, vocational opportunities and

2-8 training, and other complementary assistance; and

2-9 Whereas, Mental health services have not been comprehensively

2-10 reviewed for nearly 10 years; and

2-11 Whereas, Further review of the mental health services provided to

2-12 persons in this state is necessary to ensure that persons who are mentally ill

2-13 and persons who are affected with mental retardation receive the care

2-14 necessary to allow them to lead more productive lives; now, therefore, be it

2-15 Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate

2-16 Concurring, That the Legislative Commission is hereby directed to

2-17 appoint an interim committee, composed of members of the Assembly and

2-18 members of the Senate, to continue the study of services and treatment

2-19 provided to persons who are mentally ill and persons who are affected with

2-20 mental retardation in this state, including, without limitation, an

2-21 examination, review and evaluation of the:

2-22 1. Services that are available to persons who are mentally ill and

2-23 persons who are affected with mental retardation from public and private

2-24 agencies in this state and the manner in which those services are delivered;

2-25 2. Resources that are needed to provide the care that is required and the

2-26 fiscal impact of providing those resources on the state and local

2-27 governments, including the effect of adolescent suicide on such resources;

2-28 and

2-29 3. Feasibility of coordinating services and treatment provided to

2-30 persons who are mentally ill and persons who are affected with mental

2-31 retardation by various public and private agencies; and be it further

2-32 Resolved, That any recommended legislation proposed by the

2-33 committee must be approved by a majority of the members of the Assembly

2-34 appointed to the committee and a majority of the members of the Senate

2-35 appointed to the committee; and be it further

2-36 Resolved, That the Legislative Commission submit a report of the

2-37 results of the study and any recommended legislation to the 71st session of

2-38 the Nevada Legislature.