87R1491 JG-D
By: Lucio S.B. No. 1564
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 531.02254 to read as follows:
Sec. 531.02254. COMPREHENSIVE WORKFORCE PLAN FOR MENTAL
HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE. (a) The statewide behavioral health
coordinating council established under Subchapter M-1, 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, 2022, the statewide
behavioral health coordinating council shall develop and the Health
and Human Services Commission shall begin implementing the plan
required under Section 531.02254, 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, 2021.