Enrolled Bill Summary

Senate Bill 1507	Senate Author:  Garcia et al.
Effective:  5-28-15	House Sponsor:  Naishtat et al.

            Senate Bill 1507 amends Health and Safety Code provisions relating to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) statewide coordination and oversight of forensic mental health services. The bill provides for the appointment of a forensic director responsible for that coordination and oversight and provides for the establishment of a forensic work group to make recommendations relating to the effective coordination of forensic services. The bill requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to divide the state into regions for purposes of allocating state-funded beds in state hospitals and other inpatient mental health facilities and establishes requirements for HHSC, DSHS, and the advisory panel on the allocation of outpatient mental health services and beds to develop, adopt, and report on the methodology used to allocate and evaluate the utilization of the state-funded beds.

            Senate Bill 1507 provides for a DSHS training curriculum for judges and attorneys on treatment alternatives to inpatient commitment to a state hospital for certain patients ordered by a court to receive mental health services and establishes the duties of DSHS and local mental or behavioral health authorities regarding the administration of certain substance abuse services functions, including the operation of a mental health and substance abuse hotline.