| TO: | Honorable Jaime Capelo, Chair, House Committee on Public Health |
| FROM: | John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB1967 by Uresti (Relating to programs in certain counties to divert certain persons with mental health disorders or mental retardation from incarceration to appropriate services.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted |
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code, to provide that the board of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation shall adopt rules to provide that local mental health authorities (LMHA) are responsible for recommending treatment alternatives for persons in contact with the criminal justice system and persons detained in local jails and juvenile detention facilities. If enacted, the legislation will expire on September 1, 2005.
The bill would permit LMHAs to develop of a system of services to divert persons who are a part of the priority population, including persons with co-occurring substance abuse disorders, from incarceration or other contact with the criminal justice system. It would require the LMHAs to collaborate with other local resources and to not implement any program developed under this section until the program is approved the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2003.
| Source Agencies: | 655 Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, 694 Youth Commission, 696 Department of Criminal Justice
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| LBB Staff: | JK, KF, EB, MB, KG
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