BILL ANALYSIS

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

While the legislature has invested historic amounts of money into the state hospital system over the past several session, it is imperative that Texas continue its efforts to operate a system appropriate to serve our growing population. Texas' state hospital system is currently overstrained, with thousands of individuals waiting for months on the competency restoration waitlist for a bed. The lack of treatment options for acute psychiatric treatment means Texans cannot access the treatment they are legally entitled to, with public health and safety implications.

S.B. 2468 directs the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to conduct a study regarding current supply and future need for acute inpatient psychiatric treatment beds in inpatient mental health facilities, with the option to collaborate with academic institutions for the study. HHSC shall submit a report to the legislature with the results of the study and any legislative recommendations.

As proposed, S.B. 2468 amends current law relating to a study regarding available beds at inpatient mental health facilities providing acute psychiatric treatment.

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. (a) Defines "commission."

(b)  Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to conduct a study regarding the availability of beds at inpatient mental health facilities in this state that provide acute inpatient psychiatric treatment.� Requires that the study evaluate:

(1)  the current number of psychiatric beds available at inpatient mental health facilities in this state that provide inpatient psychiatric treatment to individuals experiencing an acute mental health crisis, including a breakdown of:

(i)  the number of beds available for competency restoration;

(ii)  the number of beds available to patients who are subject to a civil commitment order;

(iii)  the number of beds available to patients who are 18 years of age or older as well as the number of beds available to patients that are 17 years of age or younger; and

(iv)  the percentage of current patients receiving inpatient psychiatric treatment in this state that are likely to require long term care;

(2)  the current number of patients at inpatient mental health facilities in this state that provide inpatient psychiatric treatment to individuals experiencing an acute mental crisis, including a breakdown of the following:

(i)  the number of patients admitted to these facilities for competency restoration purposes;

(ii)  the number of patients admitted to these facilities as a result of a civil commitment order;

(iii)  the number of patients admitted to these facilities who are 18 years of age or older as well as the number of patients who are 17 years of age or younger; and

(iv)  the number of patients admitted to these facilities that have been diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability;

(3)  the projected need over the next several years for additional psychiatric beds at inpatient mental health facilities that provide inpatient psychiatric treatment to those individuals, including an estimation of the percent of incoming patients that will require long term care; and

(4)  current and anticipated resources necessary to meet the demands described by Subdivisions (1), (2), and (3).

(c) Authorizes HHSC, in designing and conducting the study, to collaborate with institutions of higher education in this state that award medical degrees.

(d) Requires HHSC, not later than September 1, 2024, to prepare and submit to the legislature a written report containing the results of the study and any recommendations for legislative or other action.

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act expires September 1, 2025.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.