Texas HB 1904: Relating to the establishment of a border county mental health task force.

Bill Text

By:AAGamez H.B.ANo.A1904
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a border county mental health task
force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTIONA1.AAChapter 533, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Subchapter F to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER F. BORDER COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE
Sec.A533.151.AADEFINITION. In this subchapter, "task force"
means the Border County Mental Health Task Force established under
this subchapter.
Sec.A533.152.AASUNSET PROVISION. The task force is subject
to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless
continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the task force
is abolished and this subchapter expires September 1, 2035.
Sec.A533.153.AATASK FORCE; DUTIES. (a) The department shall
establish the task force to advise the commissioner regarding the
mental and behavioral health problems, conditions, challenges, and
needs of the population of a county that:
(1)AAis adjacent to the international border with
Mexico; and
(2)AAhas a population of less than 500,000 and more than
400,000.
(b)AAThe task force shall advise the commissioner on:
(1)AApolicy priorities addressing major issues
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1

affecting the mental and behavioral health of county residents;
(2)AAraising public awareness of the issues described
by Subdivision (1); and
(3)AAother mental and behavioral health issues
affecting county residents, as determined by the commissioner,
including:
(A)AAbarriers to accessing mental and behavioral
health care;
(B)AAmental and behavioral health problems,
including, but not limited to:
(i)AAsuicide;
(ii)AAdepression;
(iii)AAeating disorders;
(iv)AAsubstance abuse;
(v)AAschizophrenia; and
(vi)AAbipolar disorder;
(C)AAfactors that impede access to mental and
behavioral health care, including:
(i)AAsocioeconomic conditions;
(ii)AAlinguistic and cultural barriers;
(iii)AAlow population density; and
(iv)AAlack of health insurance;
(D)AAsurveillance and tracking of factors that
negatively affect the residents’ mental and behavioral health;
(E)AAstandardization of information collection
procedures to ensure the compatibility of data collected on both
sides of the international border with Mexico;
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
H.B.ANo.A1904
2

(F)AAidentifying best practices and
standardization of first responder and law enforcement response to
individuals suffering mental health crisis;
(G)AAmental and behavioral health infrastructure
that includes the establishment of:
(i)AAeducation and research institutions to
train culturally competent mental and behavioral health care
providers; and
(ii)AAlocal and regional mental and
behavioral health programs that build on local resources and
maximize the use of public money to address the needs of indigent
populations; and
(H)AAconsult, collaboration, and cooperation at
with any:
(i)AAother health and human services
agencies;
(ii)AAother appropriate state or federal
agencies;
(iii)AAhealth science centers and medical
schools; and
(iv)AApublic and private health care
providers and hospitals.
(v)AAMexican counterparts of the task force;
or
(vi)AAfederal counterparts of the task force
operating in the United States.
Sec.A533.154.AACOLLABORATION WITH OFFICE OF BORDER HEALTH.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
H.B.ANo.A1904
3

The Office of Border Health established under Section 12.071 shall
provide:
(1)AAstaff support to the task force; and
(2)AAto the extent practicable, any other assistance
required by the task force.
Sec.A533.155.AACOMPOSITION; TERMS. (a) The task force is
composed of:
(1)AAone member appointed by the commissioner who is a
first responder or emergency personnel in the county to which this
task force applies with experience treating patients experiencing
mental and behavioral health problems;
(2)AAtwo ex officio nonvoting members who are members
of the legislature:
(A)AAone of whom is appointed by the lieutenant
governor; and
(B)AAone of whom is appointed by the speaker of the
house of representatives; and
(3)AAadditional voting members appointed by the
commissioner from the county to which this task force applies
including but not limited to representatives from:
(A)AAhospitals;
(B)AAcommunity health centers;
(C)AAthe local mental health authority;
(D)AAthe county health administration;
(E)AAa judge with experience in mental health
diversion proceedings; and
(F)AAthe district attorney’s office.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
H.B.ANo.A1904
4

(b)AAThe commissioner shall designate a chair and vice chair
of the task force from among the task force members.
(c)AAThe members appointed by the lieutenant governor and the
speaker of the house of representatives serve three-year terms. The
remaining members of the task force serve at the pleasure of the
commissioner.
Sec.A533.156.AAMEETINGS. (a) The t