Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

House Public Health Committee May 19th, 2025

Meeting Video(s)

TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Public Health May 19th, 2025 at 08:05 am

House Public Health Committee

The meeting primarily focused on discussions surrounding mental health and homelessness, particularly through the lens of SB2487, which aims to provide better mental health services and support systems for individuals in crisis. Testimonies highlighted the shortcomings of current interventions, which often lead to incarceration rather than treatment, and emphasized the need for a centralized hub to assist people experiencing mental health crises. Various stakeholders, including city officials and social service representatives, voiced their support for the bill, citing its potential to improve access to care and reduce the burden on emergency services, such as jails and hospitals. However, concerns were raised regarding the implementation and the potential for coercion in treatment options, suggesting that the bill could undermine established rights to voluntary mental health care. The committee also addressed SB437, which pertains to modernizing training for substance use disorder providers in Texas, and SB660, regarding safety measures for emergency rooms. The overall tone of the meeting reflected a commitment to reforming how the state handles mental health crises and the intersection of homelessness, with a clear push for systems that prioritize compassionate care rather than punitive measures.

Bills on the Agenda

TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB437

Filed
11/21/24  
Out of Senate Committee
4/14/25  
Voted on by Senate
4/24/25  
Out of House Committee
5/22/25  
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to the provision of inservice training on identifying abuse, neglect, and illegal, unprofessional, and unethical conduct in certain health care facilities and to civil and administrative penalties assessed for violations of statutes or rules governing chemical dependency treatment facilities.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB626

Filed
12/16/24  
Out of Senate Committee
4/14/25  
Voted on by Senate
4/16/25  
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to inservice training on identifying abuse, neglect, and illegal, unprofessional, and unethical conduct in certain health care facilities.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB672

Filed
12/19/24  
Out of Senate Committee
4/28/25  
Voted on by Senate
5/9/25  
Out of House Committee
5/22/25  
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to a requirement that certain hospitals submit a summary of parts of their emergency operations plans to the Health and Human Services Commission.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1098

Filed
2/4/25  
Out of Senate Committee
3/31/25  
Voted on by Senate
4/3/25  
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to the disclosure by a pharmacy to a patient of certain price information for a drug or biological product.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1117

Filed
2/5/25  
Out of Senate Committee
5/5/25  
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to the administration of botulinum toxin by dentists.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1373

Filed
2/18/25  
Out of Senate Committee
4/28/25  
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to a hospital's determination to grant, deny, renew, or modify medical staff privileges.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1784

Filed
2/28/25  
Out of Senate Committee
4/14/25  
Voted on by Senate
4/24/25  
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to notice provided by a health care provider before initiating debt collection against a patient.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1986

Filed
3/6/25  
Out of Senate Committee
5/6/25  
Voted on by Senate
5/12/25  
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to warning labels for opioid prescription drugs.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2480

Filed
3/13/25  
Out of Senate Committee
4/28/25  
Voted on by Senate
5/5/25  
Out of House Committee
5/21/25  
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to the Texas Physician Health Program and the regulation of certain occupations by the Texas Medical Board; expanding the applicability of surcharges.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2487

Filed
3/13/25  
Out of Senate Committee
5/5/25  
Voted on by Senate
5/7/25  
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to procedures for and certain facilities providing crisis and mental health services.