By: McClendon, Menendez, Straus H.B. No. 2524

(Senate Sponsor - Van de Putte)

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 7, 2007; May 8, 2007, read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services; May 21, 2007, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 21, 2007, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of a pilot project to construct a public safety triage and detoxification unit and the provision of mental health and substance abuse treatment.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. (a) The Department of State Health Services shall develop a pilot project in Bexar County to address jail overcrowding by diverting persons with mental illness or substance abuse problems to inpatient and outpatient services using a public safety triage and detoxification unit.

(b) In developing the pilot project, the department shall:

(1) assist in the construction of a public safety triage and detoxification unit through which inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment services may be administered; and

(2) contract with the Bexar County local mental health and mental retardation authority or an appropriate nonprofit foundation for the provision of mental health and substance abuse assessment and treatment services, including services for dual diagnosis disorders, to persons with mental illnesses and substance abuse problems or both who are homeless or referred to the pilot project through a jail diversion program.

(c) The department, participating local mental health authorities, prosecutorial agencies, law enforcement agencies, jail facilities, courts, county or municipal governments, appropriate nonprofit foundations, and providers of psychiatric services may enter into agreements regarding the procedures to follow in implementing the project and the duties of each participating entity.

(d) Not later than November 1, 2008, the department shall submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives a report regarding:

(1) the quality of the services provided through the pilot project;

(2) the cost-effectiveness of providing mental health and substance abuse services in coordination with a jail diversion program;

(3) recommendations for establishing similar programs throughout the state; and

(4) any other relevant information as determined by the department.

(e) This section expires September 1, 2009.

SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

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