Texas House Bill HB2402

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to an acute psychiatric bed registry to list available beds for emergency detention and treatment of certain individuals.

Impact

The implementation of HB2402 is expected to have a significant impact on state mental health services, as it centralizes information on bed availability, thereby facilitating quicker and more informed decision-making for emergency responders. The registry will list key details about each facility, such as contact information, number of available beds, types of patients accepted, and security levels, which collectively serve to streamline emergency care processes. This professional resource aims to reduce delays in treatment during critical moments, ultimately contributing to better mental health outcomes for affected individuals.

Summary

House Bill 2402 aims to establish an acute psychiatric bed registry designed to improve the availability and accessibility of beds for emergency detention and treatment of individuals with mental health issues. The bill mandates the Department of State Health Services to develop and maintain a web-based, searchable registry that provides up-to-date information on available psychiatric beds across inpatient mental health facilities. This initiative seeks to enhance the response to mental health crises by ensuring that emergency care providers can quickly locate appropriate resources for individuals in need of immediate psychiatric care.

Contention

While there is substantial support for the establishment of the acute psychiatric bed registry as a means to improve mental health care accessibility, some concerns have been raised regarding privacy and the operational burden on inpatient facilities. Critics fear that the requirement for daily updates on bed availability may overwhelm smaller facilities or detract from the quality of care as staff navigate bureaucratic responsibilities. This scrutiny underscores the need for careful balance between enhanced public health resources and the practical realities faced by mental health providers in Texas.