By: Eckhardt, et al. S.B. No. 2468

(In the Senate - Filed March 10, 2023; March 23, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on Health & Human Services; April 18, 2023, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; April 18, 2023, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 2468 By: LaMantia

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study regarding available beds at inpatient mental health facilities providing acute psychiatric treatment.

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

SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "commission" means the Health and Human Services Commission.

(b) The commission shall conduct a study regarding the availability of beds at inpatient mental health facilities in this state that provide acute inpatient psychiatric treatment. The study must evaluate:

(1) the current number of psychiatric beds available at inpatient mental health facilities in this state that provide inpatient psychiatric treatment to individuals experiencing an acute mental health crisis, including a breakdown of beds available for patients:

(A) committed to a facility for competency restoration services under Chapter 46B, Code of Criminal Procedure;

(B) civilly committed to a facility under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code;

(C) committed to a facility after having been found not guilty by reason of insanity under Chapter 46C, Code of Criminal Procedure;

(D) voluntarily admitted to a facility;

(E) 18 years of age or older;

(F) younger than 18 years of age; and

(G) receiving long-term mental health treatment in a facility;

(2) the current number of patients admitted to an inpatient mental health facility in this state that provides inpatient psychiatric treatment to individuals experiencing an acute mental health crisis, including a breakdown of:

(A) the number of patients committed to a facility for competency restoration services under Chapter 46B, Code of Criminal Procedure, including the number of individuals committed under an initial order of commitment or an order extending the initial restoration period;

(B) the number of patients civilly committed to a facility under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code;

(C) the number of patients committed to a facility after having been found not guilty by reason of insanity under Chapter 46C, Code of Criminal Procedure;

(D) the number of patients voluntarily admitted to a facility;

(E) the number of patients 18 years of age or older;

(F) the number of patients younger than 18 years of age;

(G) the percentage of patients in this state who will likely require long-term mental health treatment in a facility; and

(H) the number of patients who have been diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability;

(3) the projected need over the next several years for additional psychiatric beds at inpatient mental health facilities that provide inpatient psychiatric treatment to individuals experiencing an acute mental health crisis, including the projected percentage of incoming patients who will likely require long-term mental health treatment in a facility; and

(4) current and anticipated resources, including workforce needs, necessary to meet the demands described by Subdivisions (1), (2), and (3) of this subsection.

(c) In designing and conducting the study, the commission may collaborate with institutions of higher education in this state that award medical degrees.

(d) Not later than September 1, 2024, the commission shall prepare and submit to the legislature a written report containing the results of the study and any recommendations for legislative or other action.

SECTION 2. This Act expires September 1, 2025.

SECTION 3. 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, 2023.

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