86R5818 EAS-F
By: Thierry H.B. No. 1578
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to establishing the Mental Health Crisis and Suicide
Prevention Task Force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
Commission.
(2) "Executive commissioner" means the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.
(3) "N-1-1 dial code" means a three-digit telephone
number that connects users to a public safety answering point
through dialing the three-digit telephone number.
(4) "Statewide mental health crisis line" means a
telephonic or other electronic system operated 24 hours a day to
connect a mental or behavioral health professional with persons
experiencing a mental health crisis.
(5) "Task force" means the Mental Health Crisis and
Suicide Prevention Task Force.
SECTION 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE. The Mental Health
Crisis and Suicide Prevention Task Force is established by the
executive commissioner to study the efficacy and feasibility of
creating a statewide mental health crisis line for treating mental
health crises and preventing suicide.
SECTION 3. COMPOSITION OF TASK FORCE. The task force is
composed of:
(1) the governor's designee;
(2) two members of the senate, appointed by the
lieutenant governor;
(3) two members of the house of representatives,
appointed by the speaker of the house; and
(4) 10 members appointed by the executive commissioner
as follows:
(A) two representatives from the Commission on
State Emergency Communications;
(B) two representatives from the commission's
mental health crisis services office;
(C) two mental or behavioral health clinicians
licensed to practice in this state;
(D) two physicians licensed to practice in this
state, one of whom specializes in psychiatry;
(E) one social worker; and
(F) one community advocate in a relevant field.
SECTION 4. CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR. The executive
commissioner shall appoint from among the task force members a
chair and vice chair.
SECTION 5. MEETINGS; QUORUM. (a) The task force shall meet
at the call of the chair. The chair shall set the agenda for each
meeting.
(b) The action of a majority of a quorum constitutes the
action of the task force.
SECTION 6. COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT. (a) Except as
provided by Subsection (b), a member of the task force may not
receive compensation or reimbursement for service on the task
force.
(b) A task force member who is a legislator engaged in the
business of the task force is entitled to compensation and expenses
as provided by Chapter 660, Government Code.
SECTION 7. STUDY; REPORT. (a) In cooperation with the
commission, the task force shall study:
(1) the efficacy and feasibility of designating an
N-1-1 dial code or another dialing code for use as a statewide
mental health crisis line; and
(2) the advantages and disadvantages of using a
particular statewide N-1-1 dial code or another dialing code for a
statewide mental health crisis line.
(b) Not later than September 1, 2020, the task force shall
prepare and submit to the legislature and the commission a written
report containing the results of the study and a recommendation as
to whether to establish a particular N-1-1 dial code or other
covered dialing code for use as a statewide mental health crisis
line.
(c) If the report submitted under Subsection (b) includes a
recommendation to establish a particular N-1-1 dial code or other
covered dialing code for use as a statewide mental health crisis
line, the report must also include:
(1) an outline of the logistics of designating that
dial code;
(2) an estimate of the costs associated with
designating that dial code, including costs incurred by:
(A) service providers, including:
(i) translation changes in the network; and
(ii) cell site analysis and reprogramming
by wireless carriers; and
(B) the state and political subdivisions;
(3) recommendations for designating the dial code;
(4) a cost-benefit analysis comparing the recommended
dial code with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, as the
lifeline exists on the date the report is submitted; and
(5) other recommendations as appropriate for
improving the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline generally,
which may include:
(A) increased public education and awareness;
and
(B) improved infrastructure and operations.
SECTION 8. FUNDING. The task force, through the
commission, may accept gifts and grants from any source to fund the
duties of the commission and the task force under this Act.
SECTION 9. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. Chapter 2110,
Government Code, does not apply to the task force.
SECTION 10. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1,
2021.
SECTION 11. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
September 1, 2019.