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.

(Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

C.S.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 beds available for patients:

(A) committed to a facility for competency restoration services under Chapter 46B (Incompetency to Stand Trial), Code of Criminal Procedure;

(B) civilly committed to a facility under Chapter 841 (Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators), Health and Safety Code;

(C) committed to a facility after having been found not guilty by reason of insanity under Chapter 46C (Insanity Defense), Code of Criminal Procedure;

(D) voluntarily admitted to a facility;

(E) 18 years of age or older;

(F) younger than 18 years of age; and

(G) receiving long-term mental health treatment in a facility;

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

(A) the number of patients committed to a facility for competency restoration services under Chapter 46B, Code of Criminal Procedure, including the number of individuals committed under an initial order of commitment or an order extending the initial restoration period;

(B) the number of patients civilly committed to a facility under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code;

(C) the number of patients committed to a facility after having been found not guilty by reason of insanity under Chapter 46C, Code of Criminal Procedure;

(D) the number of patients voluntarily admitted to a facility;

(E) the number of patients 18 years of age or older;

(F) the number of patients younger than 18 years of age;

(G) the percentage of patients in this state who will likely require long-term mental health treatment in a facility; and

(H) the number of patients who 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 experiencing an acute mental health crisis, including the projected percentage of incoming patients that will likely require long-term mental health treatment in a facility; and

(4)  current and anticipated resources, including workforce needs, necessary to meet the demands described by Subdivisions (1), (2), and (3) of this subsection.

(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.

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