|
House Bill 3793 |
House Author: Coleman |
|
Effective: See below |
Senate Sponsor: Hinojosa |
House Bill 3793 amends the Health and Safety Code to authorize a local mental health authority to ensure the provision of treatment services to children and adults with a diagnosed mental health disorder that is not described by law in provisions relating to disease management practices and jail diversion measures of local mental health authorities. The bill requires the Department of State Health Services to require each local mental health authority to reduce the involvement of the criminal justice system in managing adults with the mental health disorders specified by the bill. The bill makes these provisions take effect January 1, 2014; all other provisions of the bill take effect September 1, 2013.
House Bill 3793 requires the Department of State Health Services, in conjunction with the Health and Human Services Commission, to develop a plan to allocate outpatient mental health services and beds in state hospitals to two specified groups of patients. The bill sets out requirements for the plan and provides for an advisory panel to assist the department in developing the plan. The bill establishes a deadline for the department to begin implementing the plan and to submit a related report to the legislature and governor. The bill requires the department to make every effort to contract with certain mental health services providers and facilities to ensure services and beds for the two groups of patients. The bill also requires the department to develop and implement a procedure to inform courts of commitment options.
House Bill 3793 requires the Department of State Health Services, to the extent that funds are appropriated to the department for such purposes, to provide grants to local mental health authorities for training mental health first aid trainers and for providing mental health first aid training to public school educators. The bill sets out requirements for the grant programs, and it requires a local mental health authority that receives a grant to submit related plans and reports to the department. The bill also establishes a reporting requirement for the department and adds provisions relating to the liability of a person who has completed a mental health first aid training program. The bill amends the Education Code to require the State Board for Educator Certification to adopt rules that allow a public school educator to fulfill certain continuing education requirements by participating in a mental health first aid training program.
House Bill 3793 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the Hidalgo County Hospital District, subject to voter approval at a confirmation election. The bill provides for management of a confirmed district by a nine-member board of directors appointed by the governing bodies of certain municipalities in Hidalgo County and by the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court. The bill grants the district full responsibility for operating hospital facilities and providing medical and hospital care for the district's needy residents, and it sets out related powers and duties, including the power of eminent domain. The bill's general financial provisions address the district's budget and debt limitation, among other provisions. The bill authorizes the district to issue general obligation bonds and impose a property tax, subject to voter approval, and to issue revenue bonds. The bill also authorizes dissolution of the district by majority vote and establishes other dissolution procedures, including procedures for imposing a tax to pay district debt.