A bipartisan group of state lawmakers has unveiled a massive bill to overhaul mental healthcare in Georgia.

Led by Republican House Speaker David Ralston, the “Mental Health Parity Act” touches on everything from how insurers cover mental health treatment to training more providers and creating mental health response teams around the state.

“There is no issue this session more important to me than this issue,” Ralston said at a packed press conference in the State Capitol. “I’m tired of telling desperate, hurting families that we have no treatment options available in Georgia.”

Georgia is ranked among the worst states when it comes to mental health and access to care. The state has long faced shortages of staff, beds and funding. The need has only grown during the pandemic.

One program the bill would develop is a network of co-response teams with police officers and mental health professionals around the state. It would create new diversion programs to help people dealing with mental health issues from ending up in the criminal justice system. And if passed, a police officer would not need to arrest someone to obtain an emergency mental health evaluation.

Gov. Brian Kemp’s budget already includes some funding for this bill. Ralston says he wants to make sure the legislation is fully funded. The bill’s authors haven’t released a topline cost yet.

WABE