88R13826 MPF-D
 
  By: Menéndez S.B. No. 1903
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a grant program for technological enhancements at
  certain health care facilities that provide mental health care
  services.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 531.09915 to read as follows:
         Sec. 531.09915.  GRANT PROGRAM FOR TECHNOLOGICAL
  ENHANCEMENTS AT CERTAIN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES PROVIDING MENTAL
  HEALTH CARE SERVICES. (a) In this section, "health care facility"
  means:
               (1)  a hospital licensed under Chapter 241, Health and
  Safety Code, that is located in a rural county; or 
               (2)  a hospital licensed under Chapter 577, Health and
  Safety Code. 
         (b)  The commission shall establish a grant program for the
  purpose of enhancing the technological capabilities of health care
  facilities providing mental health care services in this state. 
         (c)  To be eligible for a grant under this section, a health
  care facility must: 
               (1)  demonstrate how the grant money will be used to
  improve the quality of and access to mental health care services in
  this state; 
               (2)  align with the interoperability and technology
  standards in the 21st Century Cures Act (Pub. L. No. 114-255); and 
               (3)  meet any other additional eligibility criteria
  established by the commission.
         (d)  A health care facility awarded a grant under this
  section may use the grant money to:
               (1)  purchase a recordkeeping platform that uses a
  certified electronic health record; 
               (2)  expand the interoperability of health information
  in the health care facility or as part of a network with other
  health care providers; 
               (3)  expand a patient's access to the patient's digital
  health records and mental health care services; 
               (4)  improve information technology infrastructure
  regarding the data privacy and security of patient information,
  including consent management; and 
               (5)  improve the efficiency of the provision of mental
  health care services through the use and interconnectivity of
  mobile devices.
         (e)  The commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and
  donations from any source for the purposes of awarding grants under
  this section.
         (f)  Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year,
  the commission shall submit a report to the legislature regarding
  the results of the grant program administered under this section.
         (g)  The commission may adopt any rules necessary to
  implement this section. 
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.