SRC-CDH S.B. 264 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 264 By: Zaffirini Health & Human Services 2-5-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the Texas Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation appoints an advisory committee on treatment standards to review and recommend treatment methods used in mental health facilities. The Treatment Methods Advisory Committee was established to study consumer complaints about "rage therapy," "rough signing," "trust development," "false memory syndrome," and other extreme forms of therapy, and to act as a clearinghouse for consumer referrals. By concluding that the above-referenced therapies were examples of abusive professional practices, and directing client complaints to the appropriate licensing agencies, the committee has accomplished its mandate. In July 1996, in response to the committee's unanimous vote to the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board (MHMR board) requesting its discontinuance, the MHMR board concurred, recommending that MHMR's Medical Advisory Committee continue to discuss and analyze these issues, as necessary. S.B. 264 eliminates the Treatment Methods Advisory Committee and transfers their responsibilities to the MHMR board. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 264 grants rulemaking authority to the Texas Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation to adopt procedures for an advisory committee to review treatment methods for persons with mental illness. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation in SECTION 1 (Section 571.0065, Health and Safety Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 571.0065, Health and Safety Code, as follows: Sec. 571.0065. New heading: TREATMENT METHODS. Authorizes the Texas Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (board), by rule, to adopt procedures for an advisory committee to review treatment methods for persons with mental illness, rather than being required to appoint an advisory committee on treatment standards composed of certain persons to review and recommend treatment methods used in mental health facilities. Deletes the provision requiring the board to either adopt, by rule, or reject a committee recommendation. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Amends Section 572.0022(a), Health and Safety Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 3. Amends Section 574.0415(a), Health and Safety Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 4. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.