H.B. No. 2813
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the statewide behavioral health coordinating council.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter M-1 to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER M-1.  STATEWIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COORDINATING COUNCIL
         Sec. 531.471.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "council"
  means the statewide behavioral health coordinating council.
         Sec. 531.472.  PURPOSE.  The council is established to
  ensure a strategic statewide approach to behavioral health
  services.
         Sec. 531.473.  COMPOSITION OF COUNCIL. (a)  The council is
  composed of at least one representative designated by each of the
  following entities:
               (1)  the governor's office;
               (2)  the Texas Veterans Commission;
               (3)  the commission;
               (4)  the Department of State Health Services;
               (5)  the Department of Family and Protective Services;
               (6)  the Texas Civil Commitment Office;
               (7)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
  Houston;
               (8)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
  Tyler;
               (9)  the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center;
               (10)  the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;
               (11)  the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with
  Medical or Mental Impairments;
               (12)  the Commission on Jail Standards;
               (13)  the Texas Indigent Defense Commission;
               (14)  the court of criminal appeals;
               (15)  the Texas Juvenile Justice Department;
               (16)  the Texas Military Department;
               (17)  the Texas Education Agency;
               (18)  the Texas Workforce Commission;
               (19)  the Health Professions Council, representing:
                     (A)  the State Board of Dental Examiners;
                     (B)  the Texas State Board of Pharmacy;
                     (C)  the State Board of Veterinary Medical
  Examiners;
                     (D)  the Texas Optometry Board;
                     (E)  the Texas Board of Nursing; and
                     (F)  the Texas Medical Board; and
               (20)  the Texas Department of Housing and Community
  Affairs.
         (b)  The executive commissioner shall determine the number
  of representatives that each entity may designate to serve on the
  council.
         (c)  The council may authorize another state agency or
  institution that provides specific behavioral health services with
  the use of appropriated money to designate a representative to the
  council.
         (d)  A council member serves at the pleasure of the
  designating entity.
         Sec. 531.474.  PRESIDING OFFICER. The mental health
  statewide coordinator shall serve as the presiding officer of the
  council.
         Sec. 531.475.  MEETINGS. The council shall meet at least
  once quarterly or more frequently at the call of the presiding
  officer.
         Sec. 531.476.  POWERS AND DUTIES. The council:
               (1)  shall develop and monitor the implementation of a
  five-year statewide behavioral health strategic plan;
               (2)  shall develop a biennial coordinated statewide
  behavioral health expenditure proposal;
               (3)  shall annually publish an updated inventory of
  behavioral health programs and services that are funded by the
  state that includes a description of how those programs and
  services further the purpose of the statewide behavioral health
  strategic plan;
               (4)  may create subcommittees to carry out the
  council's duties under this subchapter; and
               (5)  may facilitate opportunities to increase
  collaboration for the effective expenditure of available federal
  and state funds for behavioral and mental health services in this
  state.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2813 was passed by the House on May 8,
  2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 132, Nays 12, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2813 was passed by the Senate on May
  22, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor