85R7275 KEL-D

By: Davis of Harris H.B. No. 2478

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an innovation grant program to support residency training programs in psychiatric specialty fields.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 58A, Education Code, is amended by adding Subchapter D to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER D. PSYCHIATRIC SPECIALTY INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM

Sec. 58A.071. PSYCHIATRIC SPECIALTY INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM. Subject to available funds, the board shall establish an innovation grant program under which the board awards incentive payments to medical schools that administer innovative residency training programs designed to increase the number of physicians in this state who specialize in pediatric or adult psychiatric care.

Sec. 58A.072. FEDERAL FUNDS AND GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. In addition to other money appropriated by the legislature, for the purpose of promoting pediatric or adult psychiatric care under the program established under this subchapter the board:

(1) shall first seek and apply for any available federal funds; and

(2) after determining in a program year the state's eligibility for funds described by Subdivision (1), may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any other source, public or private, as necessary to ensure effective implementation of the program.

Sec. 58A.073. RULES. In consultation with each medical school in this state, the board shall adopt rules for the administration of the program established under this subchapter. The rules must include:

(1) administrative provisions relating to the awarding of grants under this subchapter, such as:

(A) eligibility criteria for medical schools;

(B) grant application procedures;

(C) guidelines relating to grant amounts;

(D) procedures for evaluating grant applications; and

(E) procedures for monitoring the use of grants; and

(2) methods for tracking the effectiveness of grants that:

(A) using data reasonably available to the board, consider relevant information regarding the career paths of medical school graduates during the four-year period following their graduation; and

(B) evaluate whether and for how long those graduates practice in a psychiatric specialty field in this state.

Sec. 58A.074. AWARD OF GRANTS. (a) In awarding grants under the program, the board shall award:

(1) 60 percent of the amount available in each program year to medical schools with innovative residency programs that train physicians to specialize in pediatric psychiatric care; and

(2) 40 percent of the amount available in each program year to medical schools with innovative residency programs that train physicians to specialize in adult psychiatric care.

(b) Within each category of grants prescribed by Subsection (a), the board shall give priority to grants to medical schools with innovative residency programs based in rural or underserved areas.

Sec. 58A.075. ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. A reasonable amount, not to exceed three percent, of any money appropriated for purposes of this subchapter may be used by the board to pay the costs of administering this subchapter.

SECTION 2. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt rules for the implementation and administration of the innovation grant program established under Subchapter D, Chapter 58A, Education Code, as added by this Act.

(b) Not later than September 1, 2018, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall establish the innovation grant program required by Subchapter D, Chapter 58A, Education Code, as added by this Act, and shall begin to award grants under the program as soon as practicable after the program is established.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.