79S31284 JJT-F

By:  Pitts                                                        H.B. No. 137



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an appropriation to the Department of State Health 
Services for increasing state mental health hospital capacity.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  (a)  In addition to amounts previously 
appropriated for the state fiscal biennium ending August 31, 2007, 
the following amounts are appropriated to the Department of State 
Health Services for the state fiscal year ending August 31, 2007, 
for the purpose of increasing state mental health hospital 
capacity:
		(1)  the amount of $34,000,000 out of the general 
revenue fund; and         
		(2)  the amount of $7,700,000 in mental health Medicare 
reimbursements (revenue code 3634).
	(b)  In addition to the number of full-time equivalent 
employees (FTEs) the Department of State Health Services is 
authorized by other law to employ during the following periods, the 
department may employ:
		(1)  an additional 175 FTEs during the state fiscal 
year ending August 31, 2006; and
		(2)  an additional 397 FTEs during the state fiscal 
year ending August 31, 2007.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the 
legislative session.