Children’s behavioral health bill approved

Senators gave final approval May 29 to a bill intended to expand the use of telehealth services to address children’s behavioral health needs in Nebraska.

LB556, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Amanda McGill, requires the state Department of Health and Human Services to develop rules and regulations for utilizing telehealth services for children’s behavioral health.

The bill establishes a pilot program for telehealth behavioral services that will include three clinics, with at least one urban and one rural clinic. Parents of children in pediatric practices within the pilot clinics will be offered routine mental and behavioral health screenings for their child during regular physical exams or at the request of a parent.

Children identified through screening as being at risk may be referred for further evaluation and treatment, and faculty and staff of several programs at the University of Nebraska Medical Center will be available via telehealth to the primary care practice. Intervention would be in coordination with the state’s regional behavioral health authorities.

The bill requires an appropriately trained staff member or employee to be available in person to a child receiving telehealth services in case of an emergency situation. The requirement may be waived by a parent.

Data from the pilot programs will be collected and evaluated by the Munroe-Meyer Institute and the pilot program will terminate after two years.

Senators approved the bill on a 42-0 vote.