By: Toth H.B. No. 967
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study on the prevalence of the use of psychoactive or
psychotropic medication by persons who have committed suicide.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this Act:
(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
Commission.
(2) "Psychoactive medication" has the meaning
assigned by Section 242.505, Health and Safety Code.
(3) "Psychotropic medication" has the meaning
assigned by Section 266.001, Family Code.
(b) The commission shall conduct a study evaluating the
prevalence of the use of psychoactive or psychotropic medication by
persons who are reported to have committed suicide. The study must
evaluate:
(1) for persons for whom a report described by
Subsection (c) indicated the use of psychoactive or psychotropic
medication:
(A) the period of time the person was taking
psychoactive or psychotropic medication;
(B) the medication the person was taking;
(C) whether there is evidence of the person
experiencing withdrawal symptoms; and
(D) if applicable, the period of time the person
was experiencing withdrawal symptoms; and
(2) for persons for whom a report described by
Subsection (c) did not indicate the use of psychoactive or
psychotropic medication:
(A) whether there is evidence of the person
having recently discontinued using psychoactive or psychotropic
medication; and
(B) whether there is evidence of the person
experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
(c) In conducting the study, the commission shall use
autopsy reports, toxicology reports, police reports, and other
information related to persons who are reported to have committed
suicide that are:
(1) collected between January 1, 2016, to December 31,
2022; and
(2) concerning persons who resided in counties with a
population of 450,000 or more.
(d) Not later than October 1, 2025, the commission shall
prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and
the speaker of the house of representatives a written report
containing the results of the study.
(e) The study required by this Act is a public record under
Chapter 552, Government Code.
(f) The commission shall comply with all applicable state
and federal laws regarding personally identifiable information in
conducting the study.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.