§13–2702.

    (a)    Subject to the limitations of its budget, the Department:

        (1)    In collaboration with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, the Maryland National Guard, and the Maryland Defense Force, shall provide behavioral health service coordination for veterans in all geographic regions of the State to connect them to behavioral health services, including mental health first aid described under § 13–2703(b) of this subtitle, which may be available through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs;

        (2)    (i)    Where behavioral health services are not yet available or accessible through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, shall provide service coordination for veterans in all geographic regions of the State to connect them to behavioral health services, including mental health first aid described under § 13–2703(b) of this subtitle, which may be available through the Behavioral Health Administration, until such federal services can be accessed and obtained; and

            (ii)    Shall provide behavioral health services through the Behavioral Health Administration based on eligibility and medical necessity criteria established by these administrations; and

        (3)    Shall provide veterans up–to–date information about behavioral health services and resources through a web–based resource program.

    (b)    Subject to the limitations of its budget and in addition to the service coordination provided under subsection (a) of this section, the Department shall provide or fund certain behavioral health services for veterans who:

        (1)    Meet the eligibility and medical necessity criteria of the Behavioral Health Administration; and

        (2)    Cannot obtain immediate access to behavioral health services through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

    (c)    (1)    The behavioral health services provided under subsection (b) of this section may include:

            (i)    Crisis services in all geographic regions of the State; and

            (ii)    Short–term behavioral health services, where existing federal and State behavioral health services are determined by the Department to be inadequate or inaccessible.

        (2)    The short–term behavioral health services provided under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection:

            (i)    Shall be available only until a veteran is able to access and obtain adequate behavioral health services through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; and

            (ii)    May include:

                1.    Screening assessments;

                2.    Individual, family, and group therapy;

                3.    Substance abuse early intervention and detoxification services; and

                4.    Substance abuse medication–assisted treatment.

        (3)    The Department shall seek reimbursement from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or other responsible public or private payer for any behavioral health services provided under subsection (b) of this section.

    (d)    The Department shall account separately for funds used to provide behavioral health services to veterans under subsection (b) of this section.