Texas House Bill HB1678

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 3/30/09

Caption

Relating to the Hill Country local mental health authority crisis stabilization unit.

Impact

The bill's impact primarily focuses on enhancing mental health services in the Hill Country region of Texas. By establishing a crisis stabilization unit, HB 1678 aims to provide immediate support to individuals facing mental health crises, ensuring that appropriate care is available locally. This facility is also intended to alleviate some burden on the Kerrville State Hospital, allowing it to focus on more severe cases while providing a specific resource for crisis intervention at the community level.

Summary

House Bill 1678 establishes a crisis stabilization unit under the Hill Country local mental health authority. This legislation amends Section 551.009 of the Health and Safety Code to remove previous pilot project designations and instead sets forth provisions for the establishment of a dedicated 16-bed facility. The unit will be located on the grounds of the Kerrville State Hospital, providing essential mental health services to stabilize individuals in crisis and prevent hospitalization when possible.

Contention

While the bill seems to garner support for its intent to improve mental health care, notable points of contention could arise regarding funding and resource allocation. The local mental health authority is required to contract with Kerrville State Hospital for various services to operate the unit, which raises questions about the adequacy of funding and the potential for service quality. Additionally, as this unit will operate within an already existing health facility, there could be concerns regarding the integration of services and the potential impact on the hospital's operations.