H.B. 1490 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS

       
H.B. 1490
By: Naishtat
Public Health
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Over 2,000 people in Texas die annually from suicide.  Each year  more
people die from suicide than from homicide.  The U.S. Surgeon General has
asked all states to develop a suicide prevention plan. To date twenty
states have created such a plan, Texas has not.  Efforts to prevent
suicide in Texas are scattered throughout the state.  Currently there is
no coordinated statewide approach to suicide prevention.  HB 1490 attempts
to develop and implement a statewide suicide prevention plan under the
direction of the Health and Human Services Commission.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or
institution. 

ANALYSIS
Section 1:Amends the Government Code, by adding Section 531.064, which
requires the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to develop a
statewide suicide prevention plan, and to establish a Suicide Prevention
Council.   

The makeup of the Suicide Prevention Council shall consist of  an agency
representative from  the Texas Department on Aging, Texas Commission on
Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the Texas Education Agency, Texas Department of
Health, the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, and
the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.  The Commission shall
appoint at least two members from the suicide prevention plan steering
committee, one member of the governor's trauma advisory council, and two
person who have lost a loved one to suicide to also serve on the council.
The Commission may appoint any other person to the council that they
consider appropriate.   
  
Council members serve at the will of the Commission and are not entitled
to compensation other than reasonable and necessary travel expenses
incurred in attending meetings, subject to limitations on reimbursement
provided by general law or the General Appropriations Act. 

Requires the Commission and Council to consult the National Strategy for
Suicide Prevention in developing a statewide plan. 

Authorizes the Commission and any other state agency listed in the
legislation to accept gifts, grants, and donations for the purpose of
developing and implementing the plan, and authorizes the Commission to
award grants to local, statewide public or private entities for the
purpose of implementing the plan. 

  
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003.