BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1580
89R12759 RAL-D	By: Blanco
	Health & Human Services
	3/26/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Local mental health authorities (LMHAs) provide essential mental health services to communities across Texas, including specialized care for individuals experiencing PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The governing bodies of LMHAs oversee the administration and effectiveness of these services, ensuring they meet the needs of the populations they serve. While LMHAs address a broad spectrum of mental health concerns, there is a critical need for stronger representation of veterans, who experience mental health challenges at a higher rate than the general population. This need is underscored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, which shows that the suicide rate in 2022 among veterans was 34.7 per 100,000�more than double the 17.1 per 100,000 rate for non-veteran U.S. adults. That year, there were, on average, 17.6 veteran suicides per day.

Currently, the only required member of an LMHA's governing body is the county sheriff, who serves as a nonvoting ex officio member. Not having a veteran on these governing bodies leaves a gap in the decision-making process regarding veteran-specific mental health needs. S.B. 1580 addresses this issue by requiring LMHAs with a governing body to include a veteran selected by the governing body. By ensuring that veterans have a voice in policy and service decisions, this bill enhances the ability of LMHAs to provide targeted, effective mental health care for those who have served in the military.

As proposed, S.B. 1580 amends current law relating to the composition of the governing body of a local mental health authority.

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 533.0351(a), Health and Safety Code, to require the governing body of a local mental health authority, if the local mental health authority has a governing body, to include certain persons, including a veteran selected by a majority of the governing body members, and to make a nonsubstantive change.

SECTION 2. Requires the members of each local mental health authority governing body, not later than December 1, 2025, to select a veteran to serve on the governing body as provided by Section 533.0351(a), Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.