2011 Ohio Revised Code
Title [51] LI PUBLIC WELFARE
Chapter 5119: DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
5119.62 Allocations of funds for local mental health systems of care.

(A) The department of mental health shall establish a methodology for allocating to boards of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services the funds appropriated by the general assembly to the department for the purpose of local mental health systems of care. The department shall establish the methodology after notifying and consulting with relevant constituencies as required by division (L) of section 5119.06 of the Revised Code. The methodology may provide for the funds to be allocated to boards on a district or multi-district basis. Subject to sections 5119.622 and 5119.623 of the Revised Code, the department shall allocate the funds to the boards in a manner consistent with the methodology, this section, other state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.

(B) The department may allocate to boards a portion of the funds appropriated by the general assembly to the department for the operation of state hospital services. If the department allocates the funds, the department shall do all of the following:

(1) In consultation with the boards:

(a) Annually determine the unit costs of providing state hospital services; and

(b) Establish the methodology for allocating the funds to the boards.

(2) Determine the type of unit costs of providing state hospital services to be included as a factor in the methodology and include that unit cost as a factor in the methodology;

(3) Subject to sections 5119.622 and 5119.623 of the Revised Code, allocate the funds to the boards in a manner consistent with the methodology, this section, other state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.

(c) Not later than the first day of April of each year, the department shall notify each board of the department’s estimate of the amount of funds to be allocated to the board under this section during the fiscal year beginning on the next July first. If the department makes an allocation under division (B) of this section, the department shall also notify each board of the unit costs of providing state hospital services for the upcoming fiscal year as determined under that division. Not later than the first day of May of each year, each board shall notify the department as to which of the following options it has elected for the upcoming fiscal year:

(1) The board elects to accept distribution of the amount allocated to it under this

section. Funds distributed to each board shall be used to supplement and not to supplant other state, local, or federal funds that are being used to support community-based programs for severely mentally disabled children, adolescents, and adults, unless the funds have been specifically designated for the initiation of programs in accordance with the community mental health plan developed and submitted under section 340.03 and approved under section 5119.61 of the Revised Code. Notwithstanding section 131.33 of the Revised Code, any board may expend unexpended funds distributed to the board from appropriations for the purpose of local management of mental health services in the fiscal year following the fiscal year for which the appropriations are made, in accordance with the approved community mental health plan.

(2) Subject to division (D) of this section, the board elects not to accept the amount allocated to it under this section, authorizes the department to determine the use of its allocation, and agrees to provide the department with a statement of projected utilization of state hospitals and other state-operated services by residents of its service district during the fiscal year.

(D) No board shall elect the option in division (C)(2) of this section unless all of the following apply:

(1) Either the total funds estimated by the department to be allocated to the board under this section for the next fiscal year are reduced by a substantial amount, as defined in guidelines adopted by the director of mental health under division (E) of this section, in comparison to the amount allocated for the current fiscal year, for reasons not related to performance

or the board has experienced other circumstances specified in the guidelines .

(2) The board provides the department written confirmation that the board has received input about the impact that the board’s election will have on the mental health system in the board’s district from all of the following:

(a) Individuals who receive mental health services and such individuals’ families;

(b) Boards of county commissioners;

(c) Judges of juvenile and probate courts;

(d) County sheriffs, jail administrators, and other local law enforcement officials.

(3) Not later than seven days before notifying the department of its election and after providing the department the written confirmation required by division (D)(2) of this section, the board conducts a public hearing on the issue .

(E) For the purpose of division (D)(1) of this section, the director of mental health shall consult with the boards and other relevant constituencies to develop guidelines for determining what constitutes a substantial reduction of funds and what other circumstances qualify a board to elect the option in division (C)(2) of this section.

(F) No board shall use state funds for the purpose of discouraging employees from seeking collective bargaining representation or encouraging employees to decertify a recognized collective bargaining agent.

(G) The department shall charge against the allocation made to a board under division (B) of this section, if any, any unreimbursed costs for services provided by the department.

(H) A board’s use of funds allocated under this section is subject to audit by county, state, and federal authorities.

Amended by 129th General Assembly File No. 28, HB 153, § 101.01, eff. 7/1/2011.

Effective Date: 07-01-1997