4. a. The commissioner, in consultation with the appropriate county mental health board and consistent with the approved county mental health plan, shall designate one or more mental health agencies or facilities in each geographic area in the State as a screening service. The commissioner shall so designate an agency or facility only with the approval of the agency’s or facility’s governing body.

b. In designating the screening services, the commissioner shall ensure that screening services are accessible to all persons in the State who need these services. To ensure accessibility to mental health services, the commissioner shall accept, on or after the effective date of P.L.2019, c.391 (C. 30:4-27.4a et al.), an application from a screening service to expand services that are tailored to meet the needs of the persons in its geographic area. The expanded services may include, but need not be limited to, establishing a satellite program that is situated in a location separate from a screening service and that provides services emphasizing outreach and early intervention.

c. The commissioner shall ensure that screening service evaluation is the preferred process for entry into outpatient treatment, short-term care facilities, or psychiatric facilities so that appropriate consideration is given to less restrictive treatment alternatives.

L.1987, c.116, s.4; amended 2009, c.112, s.4; 2019, c.391, s.2.