Texas House Bill HB2401

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the provision of community-based services to individuals who have or may have mental illness.

Impact

One significant effect of HB2401 on Texas state laws is the requirement to establish community-based crisis residential services and alternatives to inpatient care, thereby prioritizing mental health treatment in outpatient settings. It introduces mandates for funding to facilitate these services and ensures that mental health programs are developed and implemented by local mental health authorities. This shift towards community care can lead to reduced waiting times and improved outcomes for individuals in crisis, promoting overall public health.

Summary

House Bill 2401 aims to enhance the provision of community-based services for individuals experiencing or potentially experiencing mental illness in Texas. The bill mandates the Texas Department of Health to ensure a range of mental health services is available in each service area, which includes 24-hour emergency screening, crisis stabilization, family support, and case management services among others. The intent of the bill is to foster better mental health care accessibility and reduce the reliance on inpatient hospitalization by providing timely community-based alternatives.

Contention

Although the intent of HB2401 is to improve mental health services, some points of contention could arise around the funding and implementation of these community-based services. Questions may emerge regarding the adequacy of the allocated funds to cover the operational costs of these services. Additionally, while local authorities are tasked with delivering these programs, any delays in the federal waivers necessary for implementation could hinder the timely rollout of the intended services, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the bill.