bill for mental health tech grants at certain hospitals

The text as introduced · 460 words

By: Menéndez
S.B. No. 151

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a matching grant program for technological enhancements

at certain health care facilities that provide mental health care

services.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is

amended by adding Section 531.09915 to read as follows:

Sec. 531.09915. MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM FOR TECHNOLOGICAL

ENHANCEMENTS AT CERTAIN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES PROVIDING MENTAL

HEALTH CARE SERVICES. (a) In this section, "health care facility"

means:

(1) a hospital licensed under Chapter 241, Health and

Safety Code, that is located in a rural county; or

(2) a hospital licensed under Chapter 577, Health and

Safety Code.

(b) The commission shall establish a matching grant program

for the purpose of enhancing the technological capabilities of

health care facilities providing mental health care services in

this state.

(c) To be eligible for a grant under this section, a health

care facility must:

(1) demonstrate how the grant money and matching funds

will be used to improve the quality of and access to mental health

care services in this state;

(2) align with the interoperability and technology

standards in the 21st Century Cures Act (Pub. L. No. 114-255); and

(3) meet any other additional eligibility criteria

established by the commission.

(d) The commission shall condition each grant provided to a

health care facility under this section on the facility providing

funds from non-state sources in an amount equal to 25 percent of the

grant amount.

(e) To raise the required non-state sourced funds, the

health care facility may seek and receive gifts, grants, or

donations from any person.

(f) A health care facility awarded a grant under this

section may only use the grant money and matching funds to:

(1) purchase a recordkeeping platform that uses a

certified electronic health record;

(2) expand the interoperability of health information

in the health care facility or as part of a network with other

health care providers;

(3) expand a patient's access to the patient's digital

health records and mental health care services;

(4) improve information technology infrastructure

regarding the data privacy and security of patient information,

including consent management; and

(5) improve the efficiency of the provision of mental

health care services through the use and interconnectivity of

mobile devices.

(g) The commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and

donations from any source for the purposes of awarding grants under

this section.

(h) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year,

the commission shall submit a report to the legislature regarding

the results of the grant program administered under this section.

(i) The commission may adopt any rules necessary to

implement this section.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.