Commission to Study Mental and Behavioral Health in Maryland

In January 2019, Lt. Governor Rutherford announced Executive Order 01.01.2019.06, signed by Governor Hogan, establishing the Commission to Study Mental and Behavioral Health in Maryland. The commission, which will be chaired by Lt. Governor Rutherford, has been tasked with studying mental health in Maryland, including access to mental health services and the link between mental health issues and substance use disorders. The commission includes representatives from each branch of state government, representatives from the state departments of Health, Public Safety and Correctional Services, and Human Services, as well as the Maryland State Police, the Maryland Insurance Administration, the Opioid Operational Command Center, and six members of the public with experience related to mental health.

Click here to view the full list of commission members. To receive email updates from the commission, request here.

View the Commission’s Interim Report.
View the Commission’s 2019 Annual Report.
View the Commission’s 2020 Annual Report.
View Report from the 2020 State Summit on Behavioral Health and the Justice System

Check back for more information on the Commission to Study Mental and Behavioral Health in Maryland, including upcoming meetings and the progress of the commission.

Upcoming Commission Meetings:

September 2021 Meeting
Date: Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Location:
Howard Community College
The Smith Theatre located in the Howard Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center (HVPA Building)
10901 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia, MD 21044

View Updated Agenda

View Livestream

Click here to view past Commission meetings

The Commission welcomes relevant testimony from the public. For those interested in providing testimony, please know that you can do so in the following ways:

In-person
Submission of written testimony to be included in the meeting materials

If you are interested in providing testimony in any way, you may RSVP at mbh.commission@maryland.gov stating how you wish to participate. Those wishing to provide testimony in-person can also sign up to testify on-site. Those submitting written testimony may do so until until Wednesday, September 15 at 5:00pm.

*NOTE: We reserve the right to summarize comments and/or exclude inappropriate submissions from being read during the meeting.

Upcoming Subcommittee Meetings:

Click here to view past Subcommittee meetings.

Crisis System Advisory Workgroup

Chair: Robin Rickard

Upcoming Meetings:

Tuesday, October 19 · 2:00 – 3:30pm
Google Meet
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/fkx-coyq-uds
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 641-732-2446‬ PIN: ‪643 207 958‬#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/fkx-coyq-uds?pin=7828198425934

Contact: Marianne Gibson, marianne.gibson@maryland.gov

Finance & Funding

Co-chairs: Dennis Schrader, Kathleen Birrane

Upcoming Meetings:

Tuesday, November 2, 2021 1 – 2 p.m.

Join with Google Meet
meet.google.com/wic-ngyt-aby

Join by phone:
(US) +1 224-701-0077
PIN: 396454950

Contact: Terri Smith, terri.smith@maryland.gov

Public Safety & Judicial System

Co-chairs: Dr. Lynda Bonieskie & Senator Katie Fry Hester

Upcoming Meetings:

Tuesday, August 10, 2021 3 PM

Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85457768837?pwd=bFVxdUdzZzdmcDZNc0Zac1RxV3NWQT09

Phone: +1301715859

Meeting ID: 854 5776 8837

Passcode: 475913

Contact: Dr. Lynda Bonieskie, lynda.bonieskie@maryland.gov

Youth & Families

Co-chairs: Dr. Randi Walters; Christian Miele

Upcoming Meetings:

Monday, September 13, 2021 1-3 PM

Google Meets

https://meet.google.com/vpz-ycng-ezf

Join by phone – ‪(US) +1 708-634-8653‬ PIN: ‪636 238 330‬#

Youth & Families Subcommittee meetings will be held the second Monday of every other month.

Contact: Kristen Robb-McGrath, kirsten.robb-mcgrath@maryland.gov

*Connecting via internet using the link provided is encouraged.
**Page Updated 7/14/2021