BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.S.B. 429
86R26265 JG-D	By: Lucio
	Health & Human Services
	4/23/2019
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, Texas is experiencing a shortage in the workforce that serves persons with mental health and substance use issues. The number of individuals who are in need of the services given by a specialized and trained workforce increases every day in Texas. These individuals are at a higher risk of unemployment, health risks, and possibly homelessness.

S.B. 429 seeks to address this shortage by directing the Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council (under the direction of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)) to develop a comprehensive plan to increase and improve the Texas workforce that serves persons with mental health and substance use issues. In so doing, S.B. 429 directs the council to analyze existing data (studies, reports, recommendations), and develop implementation strategies, monitoring processes, and outcome evaluations methods that HHSC can use to better assist those in need of specialized services. (Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

C.S.S.B. 429 amends current law relating to a comprehensive plan for increasing and improving the workforce in this state to serve persons with mental health and substance use issues.

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 Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, by adding Section 531.02253, as follows:

Sec. 531.02253. COMPREHENSIVE WORKFORCE PLAN FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE. (a) Requires the statewide behavioral health coordinating council (council), under the direction of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), to develop and requires HHSC to implement a comprehensive plan to increase and improve the workforce in the state to serve persons with mental health and substance use issues. Requires the council, in developing the plan, to analyze and consider available studies, reports, and recommendations regarding that segment of the workforce in this state or elsewhere.

(b) Requires the plan to include a strategy and timeline for implementing the plan, including short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals, a system for monitoring the implementation of the plan, and a method for evaluating the outcomes of the plan.

SECTION 2. Requires the council to develop and requires HHSC to begin implementing the plan required under Section 531.02253, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than September 1, 2020.

SECTION 3. Provides that the council and HHSC are required to implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature appropriates money to HHSC specifically for that purpose. Authorizes but does not require the council and HHSC, if the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, to implement the provision using other appropriations made to HHSC that are available for that purpose.

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2019.