By: Menéndez S.B. No. 151
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a matching grant program for technological enhancements
at certain health care facilities that provide mental health care
services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 531.09915 to read as follows:
Sec. 531.09915. MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM FOR TECHNOLOGICAL
ENHANCEMENTS AT CERTAIN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES PROVIDING MENTAL
HEALTH CARE SERVICES. (a) In this section, "health care facility"
means:
(1) a hospital licensed under Chapter 241, Health and
Safety Code, that is located in a rural county; or
(2) a hospital licensed under Chapter 577, Health and
Safety Code.
(b) The commission shall establish a matching grant program
for the purpose of enhancing the technological capabilities of
health care facilities providing mental health care services in
this state.
(c) To be eligible for a grant under this section, a health
care facility must:
(1) demonstrate how the grant money and matching funds
will be used to improve the quality of and access to mental health
care services in this state;
(2) align with the interoperability and technology
standards in the 21st Century Cures Act (Pub. L. No. 114-255); and
(3) meet any other additional eligibility criteria
established by the commission.
(d) The commission shall condition each grant provided to a
health care facility under this section on the facility providing
funds from non-state sources in an amount equal to 25 percent of the
grant amount.
(e) To raise the required non-state sourced funds, the
health care facility may seek and receive gifts, grants, or
donations from any person.
(f) A health care facility awarded a grant under this
section may only use the grant money and matching funds to:
(1) purchase a recordkeeping platform that uses a
certified electronic health record;
(2) expand the interoperability of health information
in the health care facility or as part of a network with other
health care providers;
(3) expand a patient's access to the patient's digital
health records and mental health care services;
(4) improve information technology infrastructure
regarding the data privacy and security of patient information,
including consent management; and
(5) improve the efficiency of the provision of mental
health care services through the use and interconnectivity of
mobile devices.
(g) The commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and
donations from any source for the purposes of awarding grants under
this section.
(h) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year,
the commission shall submit a report to the legislature regarding
the results of the grant program administered under this section.
(i) The commission may adopt any rules necessary to
implement this section.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.