89R2366 MPF-F
By: Menéndez S.B. No. 1561
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a ketamine treatment grant program for ketamine clinics
serving active duty military personnel, first responders, and
veterans.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 547, Government Code, as effective April
1, 2025, is amended by adding Subchapter K to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER K. KETAMINE TREATMENT GRANT PROGRAM
Sec. 547.0501. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "First responder" has the meaning assigned by
Section 421.095.
(2) "Physician" means a person licensed to practice
medicine in this state.
(3) "Program" means the ketamine treatment grant
program established under this subchapter.
(4) "Veteran" means an individual who has served in:
(A) an active or reserve component of the army,
navy, air force, coast guard, or marine corps of the United States;
or
(B) the Texas National Guard, as defined by
Section 431.001.
Sec. 547.0502. KETAMINE TREATMENT GRANT PROGRAM. The
commission shall establish a ketamine treatment grant program to
award grants to ketamine clinics providing mental health treatment
to:
(1) active duty military personnel;
(2) first responders; and
(3) veterans.
Sec. 547.0503. USE OF GRANT. A ketamine clinic may use
grant money awarded under this subchapter to:
(1) cover the cost of uncompensated mental health
treatment provided to active duty military personnel, first
responders, and veterans; and
(2) pay for other activities, services, resources,
supplies, or equipment the commission determines necessary for the
clinic to provide the treatment described by Subdivision (1).
Sec. 547.0504. SELECTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF GRANT
RECIPIENTS. (a) The commission, with any necessary assistance of
physicians or other mental health care providers, may select
eligible ketamine clinics for a grant award under this subchapter.
(b) The commission shall:
(1) develop eligibility and selection criteria for
grant applicants; and
(2) establish accountability controls for grant
recipients to ensure the public purpose of providing mental health
treatment is accomplished and this state receives a return benefit.
Sec. 547.0505. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The
commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from
any source for the purposes of this subchapter.
Sec. 547.0506. WORK GROUP. (a) The commission may
establish a work group to:
(1) assist the commission in developing,
implementing, or evaluating the program; and
(2) prepare a report on the results and outcomes of
grants awarded under this subchapter.
(b) A member of a work group established under this section:
(1) is not entitled to compensation for serving on the
work group; and
(2) may not be reimbursed for travel or other expenses
incurred while conducting the business of the work group.
(c) The work group established under this section is not
subject to Chapter 2110.
Sec. 547.0507. BIENNIAL REPORT. Not later than December 1
of each even-numbered year, the commission shall submit a report to
the governor and the legislature regarding the activities of the
program and grant recipients, including the results and outcomes of
grants awarded under this subchapter.
Sec. 547.0508. RULES. The executive commissioner may adopt
rules necessary to implement this subchapter.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2025, the Health and
Human Services Commission shall establish and implement the
ketamine treatment grant program authorized by Subchapter K,
Chapter 547, Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. Not later than December 1, 2026, the Health and
Human Services Commission shall provide the initial report to the
governor and the legislature as required by Section 547.0507,
Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.