AT THE CAPITOL
News from the 88th legislative session
HIGHLIGHTS House Bill 1836 Justin Holland, R-Rockwall, led a bill to amend the Texas Pledge of Allegiance to add the phrase “God bless Texas” to the end. If passed by two- thirds of members in the House and Senate, the new wording of the pledge would take e ect at the beginning of September. The bill has been referred to the State A airs House Committee. House Bill 1265 Angie Chen Button, R-Richardson, led a bill to amend the state’s tax code that applies to the exemption of certain medical-related items. If passed, the bill would add wound care dressings, such as bandages and medical tape, along with feminine hygiene products to the list of exempted items. If passed, the bill would take e ect in September. It has been referred to the House Ways & Means Committee. NUMBER TO KNOW That’s how much Texas lawmakers have allocated for the 2024-25 state budget. Members from the House and Senate will meet to hammer out the details of the budget before it heads to the governor’s desk. $161B
Senate puts $2B toward mental health care expansion The Texas Senate has proposed a $2.3 billion investment in the state’s mental health care system, including upgrades to and construction of several state mental health facilities. Money will be allocated to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission by Senate Bill 30, a supplemental funding bill. The Senate unanimously passed SB 26 by Sen. Lois BY HANNAH NORTON BUILDING MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES The Texas Senate’s $2.3 billion plan includes the construc- tion of new mental health facilities and upgrading existing facilities to increase capacity in Austin, San Antonio, North Texas, Montgomery County, El Paso and Tyler.
New construction/ upgrades
North Texas State hospital
Kolkhorst, R Brenham, on April 13. The bill would create a $15 billion “innovation grant” program to help local mental health centers provide early intervention and treatment for children and their families. At an April 13 news conference, Kolkhorst said mental health needs have increased signi cantly in Texas since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. She said roughly 1,000 Texans were on waitlists for forensic hospital beds, which are used for people in the criminal justice system who have mental illnesses, before the pandemic. Since then, Kolkhorst said the waitlist has “exploded to nearly 2,500.” Many state hospitals, state-supported living centers and local mental health facilities are also facing sta ng issues. The Senate passed SB 25, a nursing education bill, with a unanimous vote March 30. The bill would create scholar- ships, grants and a loan repayment program for nursing students.
Terrell State hospital UT Tyler
Amarillo State hospital
Lubbock State hospital Sunrise Canyon
El Paso psychiatric center
Uvalde behaviorial health center
San Antonio State hospital
Montgomery County mental health
Victoria County
Rio Grande State center
SOURCE: TEXAS SENATE AND TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION COMMUNITY IMPACT
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