Topeka ? The Kansas Senate has approved a new proposal for controlling the cost of mental health drugs in the state’s Medicaid program.

The 40-0 vote Tuesday was on a bill requiring a review of Medicaid’s mental health prescriptions. It also creates an advisory committee to draft guidelines on prescriptions for the 368,000 needy and disabled residents covered by the program.

The measure goes to the House.

The bill arose from discussions between Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration and mental health advocates after the Senate rejected a bill last month to repeal a 2002 law that blocks restrictions on mental health drugs for Medicaid participants.

Supporters of such efforts are looking for cost savings to help balance the state budget, but they also worry that some drugs are used improperly.