By: Parker S.B. No. 2487

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to procedures for and certain facilities providing crisis and mental health services.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 573, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 573.020 to read as follows:

Sec. 573.020. INITIAL EXAMINATION. (a) A licensed mental health professional shall immediately examine a person who arrives at a facility if:

(1) an application for detention has been filed for the person; or

(2) a peace officer or emergency medical services personnel of an emergency medical services provider transporting the person in accordance with a memorandum of understanding executed under Section 573.005 files a notification of detention completed by the peace officer under Section 573.002(a).

(b) The facility may detain the person if:

(1) the person has rejected voluntary mental health services; and

(2) as a result of the initial examination conducted under this section and materials provided for the application for detention or notification of detention under Subsection (a)(1) or (2), as applicable, the mental health professional has a reasonable cause to believe and does believe that:

(A) the person is a person with mental illness; and

(B) because of that mental illness there is a substantial risk of serious harm to the person or to others unless the person is immediately restrained.

SECTION 2. Sections 573.021(a) and (c), Health and Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) Following an initial examination under Section 573.020, a [A] facility shall temporarily accept a person for whom an application for detention is filed or for whom a peace officer or emergency medical services personnel of an emergency medical services provider transporting the person in accordance with a memorandum of understanding executed under Section 573.005 files a notification of detention completed by the peace officer under Section 573.002(a).

(c) A physician shall examine the person accepted for a preliminary examination as soon as possible within 24 [12] hours after the time the person is apprehended by the peace officer or transported for emergency detention by the person's guardian.

SECTION 3. Section 573.023, Health and Safety Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

(a) A person apprehended by a peace officer or transported for emergency detention under Subchapter A or detained under Subchapter B shall be released on completion of:

(1) the initial examination, unless the person is detained under Section 573.020(b); or

(2) the preliminary examination, unless the person is admitted to a facility under Section 573.022.

(a-1) On a person's release from a facility under Subsection (a), the person must be provided information regarding available outpatient or community-based mental health treatment services.

SECTION 4. Subtitle C, Title 7, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Chapter 580 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 580. CRISIS SERVICE CENTERS

Sec. 580.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services Commission.

(2) "Continuum of care program" means a program by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist individuals experiencing homelessness and provide the services needed to help those individuals move into transitional and permanent housing, with the goal of long-term stability.

Sec. 580.002. APPLICABILITY. This chapter applies only to a county with a population of more than 1.2 million.

Sec. 580.003. ESTABLISHMENT OF CRISIS SERVICE CENTERS. (a) A county to which this chapter applies shall establish a crisis service center to provide comprehensive crisis and mental health services, including:

(1) crisis intervention and stabilization services 24 hours a day, seven days a week;

(2) short-term residential care;

(3) medical detoxification;

(4) care coordination services for individuals who would benefit from ongoing treatment, housing, or other community resources after being released from a crisis service center;

(5) specialized services for an individual experiencing homelessness, consistent with an integrated continuum of care system, including coordination with emergency shelters, rapid re-housing programs, and permanent supportive housing units; and

(6) as described by Subsection (d), crisis follow-up services.

(b) A crisis service center shall employ licensed mental health professionals, including individuals authorized to provide mental health services to individuals transported to the center for involuntary commitment under Chapters 573 and 574.

(c) A crisis service center shall ensure coordination with law enforcement agencies to prioritize transporting individuals experiencing a crisis to a crisis service center instead of a more restrictive setting, as appropriate.

(d) Not later than 72 hours after the crisis service center's initial intervention, the crisis service center shall provide crisis follow-up services, which must include a reassessment of risk, safety planning, and connecting the individual to mental health and housing services.

(e) The commission shall provide assistance to a county to establish and operate a crisis service center under this chapter.

(f) A county may coordinate with the Texas Facilities Commission concerning land or facilities available for establishing a crisis service center.

Sec. 580.004. HOMELESSNESS SERVICES COORDINATION. A county shall ensure that an individual who contacts or receives treatment from a crisis service center is provided access to ongoing care through collaboration with homelessness service providers and a continuum of care program. The collaboration must include:

(1) coordination with available housing services for individuals after leaving the crisis service center's care;

(2) implementation of a coordinated intake process enabling individuals experiencing homelessness to access homelessness services and housing support through the crisis service center; and

(3) case management and housing navigation assistance services to connect and refer individuals experiencing homelessness to available long-term support services.

Sec. 580.005. FUNDING. (a) The commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source to support counties establishing and operating a crisis service center under this chapter.

(b) To qualify for funding from the commission, a county must submit a comprehensive plan for a crisis service center to the commission describing how the crisis service center will meet the requirements established under Sections 580.003 and 580.004.

Sec. 580.006. REPORTS. A county shall prepare and submit to the commission and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs quarterly reports:

(1) covering the outcomes of individuals who received services from a crisis service center in the county;

(2) providing information related to the results of operating a crisis service center in the county, including any reductions in homelessness or other county-wide effects;

(3) evaluating the provision of related services in the county, including the stability of available housing services; and

(4) detailing any recommendations for legislative or other action.

Sec. 580.007. CRISIS SERVICE CENTER ADVISORY BOARD. (a) The crisis service center advisory board is established to advise the commission and counties and make recommendations regarding implementing and operating a crisis service center under this chapter.

(b) The advisory board is composed of the following individuals appointed by the governor:

(1) mental health professionals;

(2) representatives of a homelessness service provider;

(3) representatives of a law enforcement agency;

(4) county officials;

(5) representatives of a continuum of care program; and

(6) representatives of the commission.

SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act to Chapter 573, Health and Safety Code, apply to an emergency detention that begins on or after the effective date of this Act. An emergency detention that begins before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed immediately before that date, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 6. (a) Not later than September 1, 2028, a county to which Chapter 580, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, applies shall establish a crisis service center as required by Section 580.003, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

(b) Not later than January 1, 2029, a county to which Chapter 580, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, applies shall provide the initial report required by Section 580.006, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.