SRC-TJG, JEC H.B. 1350 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1350
78R636 SMJ-DBy: Uresti (Shapleigh)
Health & Human Services
5/18/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the state spends millions of dollars to provide mental health
services to children, through many channels.  H.B. 1350 requires the
Health and Human Services Commission to evaluate all children's mental
health service funding programs, and to analyze and make recommendations
regarding those programs. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  (a)  Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
to review and evaluate all sources of public funding for programs in this
state that provide mental health services to children, including programs
provided by the juvenile justice system, the Department of Protective and
Regulatory Services, the Texas Council on Offenders with Mental
Impairments, and the Texas Education Agency. 

(b)  Requires the evaluation to describe each program and the services it
provides, the sources of funding for the program, and the purposes for
which the funds are used. Requires the evaluation to also include
recommendations regarding future funding for those programs, including
sources and amounts, and opportunities for coordinating funding between
different agencies, and a determination of whether more effective methods
exist for funding children's mental health services in this state. 

(c)  Requires HHSC to report on the results of the evaluation to the 79th
Legislature not later than January 11, 2005. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.