SJR34 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Garlan GudgerSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Crisis Diversion Centers, established, to provide behavioral health crisis services

Summary

SJR34 proposes establishing crisis diversion centers in Alabama to provide 24/7 behavioral health crisis services, with the first centers to be created in FY2021.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the resolution would set up crisis diversion centers as regional hubs for mental health and substance use crisis care. The centers would offer 24/7 access, accept walk-ins, and receive referrals or transfers from emergency departments and law enforcement. They would provide short-term admission, medication management, case management, discharge planning, and referrals to ongoing behavioral health care.

Who It Affects

• Alabama residents experiencing mental health or substance use crises would gain access to centralized, around-the-clock crisis services.
• Emergency departments and law enforcement agencies would have a pathway to transfer individuals to crisis diversion centers, helping divert people from ER visits and the criminal justice system.

Key Provisions

• First crisis diversion centers will be established in fiscal year 2021.
• Centers will be regional hubs offering 24-hour access and walk-in services, with the ability to receive transfers from emergency departments and law enforcement.
• Center services include short-term admission, medication management, case management, discharge planning, and referrals to ongoing behavioral health care services.
• The centers are intended to divert individuals from emergency rooms and the criminal justice system and to provide a cost-effective alternative to hospitals.
• Centers will be designed to meet the needs of urban, suburban, and rural communities and to maximize the behavioral health workforce.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Resolutions, Legislative