87R6837 MCF-D

By: Dominguez H.B. No. 1802

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study evaluating the use of alternative therapies for treating certain mental health and other medical conditions.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. (a) In this Act, "department" means the Department of State Health Services.

(b) The department, in collaboration with the Texas Medical Board, shall conduct a study to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of alternative therapies, including the use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), psilocybin, and ketamine, in the treatment of mental health and other medical conditions, including:

(1) depression;

(2) anxiety;

(3) post-traumatic stress disorder;

(4) bipolar disorder;

(5) chronic pain; and

(6) migraines.

(c) In conducting the study described by Subsection (b) of this section, the department shall:

(1) evaluate and determine whether alternative therapies are effective in treating the mental health and other medical conditions described by that subsection; and

(2) compare the efficacy of the alternative therapies with the efficacy of treatments currently used for the mental health and other medical conditions described by that subsection.

(d) Not later than December 1, 2022, the department shall prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each member of the legislature a written report containing the results of the study conducted under this section and any recommendations for legislative or other action.

(e) This Act expires September 1, 2023.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2021.