A. There is hereby created, to continue until July 1, 2012, the Law Enforcement Behavioral Health Emergency Dispatch Task Force.

B. The Task Force shall consist of eleven (11) members as follows:

1. The Commissioner, or designee, of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services;

2. The State Commissioner of Health, or designee, of the State Department of Health;

3. An individual representing a statewide sheriffs’ organization to be appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives;

4. An individual representing a statewide chiefs of police organization to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the State Senate;

5. An individual representing a statewide hospital organization to be appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives;

6. An individual representing a statewide behavioral health advocacy organization to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;

7. An individual representing a statewide organization that serves consumers of mental health services to be appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives;

8. An individual representing a statewide association of county governments to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

9. An individual representing a statewide association of city governments to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;

10. One member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives as appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives; and

11. One member of the Senate as appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the State Senate.

C. 1. The Task Force:

a.shall study and evaluate the development of a law enforcement behavioral health emergency dispatch system that will assist and encourage law enforcement agencies and hospitals and emergency medical service providers providing services pursuant to Section 1-101 et seq. of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes, to provide an organized system of transportation for persons in need of mental health or substance abuse inpatient treatment,

b.shall study the practicality of adopting current systems in place such as the Trauma Transfer and Referral Center system, established pursuant to the Oklahoma Trauma Systems Improvement and Development Act or the adoption of a similar system or model to ensure that persons are directed to the appropriate hospital based on a regional plan and the current capability and capacity of hospitals,

c.may divide into subcommittees in furtherance of its purpose, and

d.may obtain information and assistance as necessary to complete its duties from any state agency.

2. a.The Task Force shall be staffed by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

b.All departments, officers, agencies and employees of the state shall cooperate with the Task Force in carrying out its duties and responsibilities including, but not limited to, providing any information, records, reports or other assistance as may be requested by the Task Force.

3. It shall be the duty of the Task Force to formulate recommendations related to the development and implementation of a law enforcement behavioral health emergency dispatch system, including recommendations for any resulting legislation.

D. The members of the Task Force shall determine meeting dates. Members shall not be compensated for their service but shall be reimbursed by their appointing authorities for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Members shall receive no compensation for their service on the Task Force, but shall receive travel reimbursement as follows:

1. Legislative members shall be reimbursed for their necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with the provisions of Section 456 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

2. Nonlegislative members who are state officers or employees shall be reimbursed by their respective agencies for their necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with the provisions of the State Travel Reimbursement Act; and

3. Members who are not legislators or officers or employees of the state shall be reimbursed by their appointing authorities in accordance with the provisions of the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

Added by Laws 2011, c. 370, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2011.