By: Lucio, et al. S.B. No. 429
(Lucio III)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a comprehensive plan for increasing and improving the
workforce in this state to serve persons with mental health and
substance use issues.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 531.02253 to read as follows:
Sec. 531.02253. COMPREHENSIVE WORKFORCE PLAN FOR MENTAL
HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE. (a) The statewide behavioral health
coordinating council, under the direction of the commission, shall
develop and the commission shall implement a comprehensive plan to
increase and improve the workforce in this state to serve persons
with mental health and substance use issues. In developing the
plan, the council shall analyze and consider available studies,
reports, and recommendations regarding that segment of the
workforce in this state or elsewhere.
(b) The plan must include:
(1) a strategy and timeline for implementing the plan,
including short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals;
(2) a system for monitoring the implementation of the
plan; and
(3) a method for evaluating the outcomes of the plan.
SECTION 2. Not later than September 1, 2020, the statewide
behavioral health coordinating council shall develop and the Health
and Human Services Commission shall begin implementing the plan
required under Section 531.02253, Government Code, as added by this
Act.
SECTION 3. The statewide behavioral health coordinating
council and the Health and Human Services Commission are required
to implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature
appropriates money to the commission specifically for that purpose.
If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that
purpose, the council and the commission may, but are not required
to, implement the provision using other appropriations made to the
commission that are available for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.