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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a pilot project to construct a |
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public safety triage and detoxification unit and the provision of |
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mental health and substance abuse treatment. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) The Department of State Health Services |
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shall develop a pilot project in Bexar County to address jail |
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overcrowding by diverting persons with mental illness or substance |
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abuse problems to inpatient and outpatient services using a public |
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safety triage and detoxification unit. |
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(b) In developing the pilot project, the department shall: |
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(1) assist in the construction of a public safety |
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triage and detoxification unit through which inpatient and |
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outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment services may |
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be administered; and |
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(2) contract with the Bexar County local mental health |
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and mental retardation authority or an appropriate nonprofit |
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foundation for the provision of mental health and substance abuse |
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assessment and treatment services, including services for dual |
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diagnosis disorders, to persons with mental illnesses and substance |
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abuse problems or both who are homeless or referred to the pilot |
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project through a jail diversion program. |
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(c) The department, participating local mental health |
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authorities, prosecutorial agencies, law enforcement agencies, |
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jail facilities, courts, county or municipal governments, |
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appropriate nonprofit foundations, and providers of psychiatric |
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services may enter into agreements regarding the procedures to |
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follow in implementing the project and the duties of each |
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participating entity. |
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(d) Not later than November 1, 2008, the department shall |
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submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the |
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house of representatives a report regarding: |
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(1) the quality of the services provided through the |
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pilot project; |
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(2) the cost-effectiveness of providing mental health |
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and substance abuse services in coordination with a jail diversion |
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program; |
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(3) recommendations for establishing similar programs |
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throughout the state; and |
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(4) any other relevant information as determined by |
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the department. |
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(e) This section expires September 1, 2009. |
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SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |
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