H.B. No. 2813
AN ACT
relating to the statewide behavioral health coordinating council.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter M-1 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER M-1. STATEWIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COORDINATING COUNCIL
Sec. 531.471. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "council"
means the statewide behavioral health coordinating council.
Sec. 531.472. PURPOSE. The council is established to
ensure a strategic statewide approach to behavioral health
services.
Sec. 531.473. COMPOSITION OF COUNCIL. (a) The council is
composed of at least one representative designated by each of the
following entities:
(1) the governor's office;
(2) the Texas Veterans Commission;
(3) the commission;
(4) the Department of State Health Services;
(5) the Department of Family and Protective Services;
(6) the Texas Civil Commitment Office;
(7) The University of Texas Health Science Center at
Houston;
(8) The University of Texas Health Science Center at
Tyler;
(9) the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center;
(10) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;
(11) the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with
Medical or Mental Impairments;
(12) the Commission on Jail Standards;
(13) the Texas Indigent Defense Commission;
(14) the court of criminal appeals;
(15) the Texas Juvenile Justice Department;
(16) the Texas Military Department;
(17) the Texas Education Agency;
(18) the Texas Workforce Commission;
(19) the Health Professions Council, representing:
(A) the State Board of Dental Examiners;
(B) the Texas State Board of Pharmacy;
(C) the State Board of Veterinary Medical
Examiners;
(D) the Texas Optometry Board;
(E) the Texas Board of Nursing; and
(F) the Texas Medical Board; and
(20) the Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs.
(b) The executive commissioner shall determine the number
of representatives that each entity may designate to serve on the
council.
(c) The council may authorize another state agency or
institution that provides specific behavioral health services with
the use of appropriated money to designate a representative to the
council.
(d) A council member serves at the pleasure of the
designating entity.
Sec. 531.474. PRESIDING OFFICER. The mental health
statewide coordinator shall serve as the presiding officer of the
council.
Sec. 531.475. MEETINGS. The council shall meet at least
once quarterly or more frequently at the call of the presiding
officer.
Sec. 531.476. POWERS AND DUTIES. The council:
(1) shall develop and monitor the implementation of a
five-year statewide behavioral health strategic plan;
(2) shall develop a biennial coordinated statewide
behavioral health expenditure proposal;
(3) shall annually publish an updated inventory of
behavioral health programs and services that are funded by the
state that includes a description of how those programs and
services further the purpose of the statewide behavioral health
strategic plan;
(4) may create subcommittees to carry out the
council's duties under this subchapter; and
(5) may facilitate opportunities to increase
collaboration for the effective expenditure of available federal
and state funds for behavioral and mental health services in this
state.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2813 was passed by the House on May 8,
2019, by the following vote: Yeas 132, Nays 12, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2813 was passed by the Senate on May
22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor