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.