Alabama task force studies mental health care and reports recommendations

The resolution establishes the Alabama Mental Health Task Force to study mental health care and recommend long-term policies. Members include mental health professionals, lawmakers, state officials, and representatives connected to courts, behavioral health care, and hospitals. Appointing authorities must coordinate appointments to reflect the state’s racial, gender, geographic, urban, rural, and economic diversity.

The task force must send its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the Legislature, then dissolve. These duties apply to the task force and the agencies and offices named in the resolution. The Governor must call the first meeting. Legislative Services Agency, legislative offices, and the state health departments must provide help as needed. Legislative members receive their authorized compensation, per diem, and travel expenses for meeting days. Other members serve without pay but may be reimbursed for necessary meeting expenses under their appointing authority’s policies. The task force must give the Secretary of State notice of its meetings and provide its membership list, final report, and other work. The Governor must call the first meeting within 30 days after passage. The final report is due by November 1, 2026, and the task force dissolves when it files the report.