87R11247 EAS-F
By: Campos H.B. No. 4133
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a mental health jail diversion pilot
program in Bexar County.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 7, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 580 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 580. MENTAL HEALTH JAIL DIVERSION PILOT PROGRAM; BEXAR
COUNTY
Sec. 580.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "commission"
means the Health and Human Services Commission.
Sec. 580.002. MENTAL HEALTH JAIL DIVERSION PILOT PROGRAM.
The commission, in cooperation with the local mental health
authority that serves Bexar County, shall establish a pilot program
in Bexar County for the purpose of reducing recidivism and the
frequency of arrests and incarceration among persons with mental
illness in that county.
Sec. 580.003. CRIMINAL JUSTICE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE MODEL.
The commission shall design and test through the pilot program a
criminal justice mental health service model oriented toward
facilitating treatment for persons with mental illness and
substance use disorders to reduce recidivism and frequency of
arrests and incarceration of persons with mental illness in Bexar
County. The pilot program must include evidence-based practices,
including:
(1) psychiatric services;
(2) substance use disorder treatments;
(3) treatment for co-occurring mental health and
substance use disorders;
(4) integrated primary care, mental health, and
chemical dependency services;
(5) motivational interviews to decrease recidivism;
(6) methods to maintain sobriety;
(7) medical detoxification services;
(8) intensive case management to address social
determinants of health;
(9) local mental health authority hospital liaison
transitional services, including case management;
(10) medication-assisted treatment; and
(11) treatment of medical issues, including through
inpatient hospitalization if necessary.
Sec. 580.004. PROGRAM EVALUATION. (a) The commission
shall evaluate the pilot program's success in providing the
evidence-based practices described by Section 580.003 to an
individual receiving treatment for incarceration diversion for a
period of 60 to 90 days.
(b) The commission shall establish clear criteria for
identifying a target population to be served by the pilot program.
The criteria must prioritize serving a target population composed
of members with the highest risk of recidivism and either a severe
mental illness, substance use disorder, or co-occurring mental
illness and substance use disorder.
Sec. 580.005. REPORT. (a) Not later than August 1, 2022,
the executive commissioner shall:
(1) evaluate and produce a report concerning the
effect that providing inpatient evaluation for periods of 60 to 90
days has in reducing recidivism and the frequency of arrests and
incarceration among persons with mental illness in Bexar County;
and
(2) submit the report described by Subdivision (1) to
the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, and the presiding officers of the standing
committees of the senate and house of representatives having
primary jurisdiction over health and human services issues and over
criminal justice issues.
(b) The report must include a detailed analysis of the
features of the criminal justice mental health service model
developed and tested under the pilot program, the effect that
providing inpatient evaluation for periods of 60 to 90 days has in
reducing recidivism and the frequency of arrests and incarceration
among persons with mental illness in Bexar County, and the
executive commissioner's recommendation on whether to expand use of
the model statewide.
Sec. 580.006. CONCLUSION; EXPIRATION. The pilot program
established under this chapter concludes and this chapter expires
September 1, 2023.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.