BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1533
85R9965 GCB-D	By: Rodr�guez
	Health & Human Services
	4/3/2017
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Mental health first aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based training program that educates non-medical professionals about strategies and resources to respond to an individual who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a crisis. Participants learn how to assess risk, listen to and support the individual in crisis, and identify professional resources and supports. The program can be taught to anyone, although it is especially relevant for key community professionals such as teachers, health care workers, police officers, and faith leaders who regularly interact with Texas youth.

 

The 83rd Legislature passed H.B. 3793 to provide voluntary, no-cost MHFA training to educators. Last session, S.B. 133 expanded the availability of free MHFA training beyond teachers to include school counselors, nurses, teacher's aides, school bus drivers, principals, assistant principals, and school resource officers.

 

S.B. 1533 amends current law relating to MHFA training for employees of institutions of higher education.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1533 amends current law relating to mental health first aid training for university employees.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 1001.201, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subdivision (6) to define "university employee."

 

SECTION 2. Amends the heading to Section 1001.203, Health and Safety Code, to read as follows:

 

Sec. 1001.203. GRANTS FOR TRAINING CERTAIN UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES, SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES, AND SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS IN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID.

 

SECTION 3. Amends Sections 1001.203(a), (c), and (e), Health and Safety Code, as follows:

 

(a) Requires that the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) make grants to provide an approved mental health first aid (MHFA) training program available at no cost to university employees, school district employees, and school resource officers.

 

(c) Makes conforming changes.

 

(e) Authorizes a local mental health authority to contract with a regional education service center to provide an MHFA training program to university employees, school district employees, and school resource officers, rather than to educators.

 

SECTION 4. Amends the heading to Section 1001.2031, Health and Safety Code, to read as follows:

 

Sec. 1001.2031. SUPPLEMENTAL GRANTS FOR TRAINING CERTAIN UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES, SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES, AND SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS IN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID.

 

SECTION 5. Amends Section 1001.205, Health and Safety Code, as follows:

 

Sec. 1001.205. REPORTS. (a) Requires a local mental health authority to provide to DSHS the number of:

 

(1) makes no changes to this subdivision;

 

(2) university employees, school district employees, and school resource officers, rather than educators, school district employees other than educators, and school resource officers, who complete an MHFA training program during the preceding fiscal year; and

 

(3) individuals who are not university employees, school district employees, or school resource officers, rather than individuals who are not school district employees or school resource officers, who completed an MHFA training program offered by the authority during the preceding fiscal year.

 

(b) Requires DSHS to compile information submitted by local mental health authorities and submit a report to the legislature containing certain information. Makes conforming changes.

 

SECTION 6. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.