state grants for ketamine clinics treating veterans and first responders

The text as introduced · 589 words

89R2366 MPF-F

By: Menéndez
S.B. No. 1561

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a ketamine treatment grant program for ketamine clinics

serving active duty military personnel, first responders, and

veterans.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 547, Government Code, as effective April

1, 2025, is amended by adding Subchapter K to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER K. KETAMINE TREATMENT GRANT PROGRAM

Sec. 547.0501. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "First responder" has the meaning assigned by

Section 421.095.

(2) "Physician" means a person licensed to practice

medicine in this state.

(3) "Program" means the ketamine treatment grant

program established under this subchapter.

(4) "Veteran" means an individual who has served in:

(A) an active or reserve component of the army,

navy, air force, coast guard, or marine corps of the United States;

or

(B) the Texas National Guard, as defined by

Section 431.001.

Sec. 547.0502. KETAMINE TREATMENT GRANT PROGRAM. The

commission shall establish a ketamine treatment grant program to

award grants to ketamine clinics providing mental health treatment

to:

(1) active duty military personnel;

(2) first responders; and

(3) veterans.

Sec. 547.0503. USE OF GRANT. A ketamine clinic may use

grant money awarded under this subchapter to:

(1) cover the cost of uncompensated mental health

treatment provided to active duty military personnel, first

responders, and veterans; and

(2) pay for other activities, services, resources,

supplies, or equipment the commission determines necessary for the

clinic to provide the treatment described by Subdivision (1).

Sec. 547.0504. SELECTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF GRANT

RECIPIENTS. (a) The commission, with any necessary assistance of

physicians or other mental health care providers, may select

eligible ketamine clinics for a grant award under this subchapter.

(b) The commission shall:

(1) develop eligibility and selection criteria for

grant applicants; and

(2) establish accountability controls for grant

recipients to ensure the public purpose of providing mental health

treatment is accomplished and this state receives a return benefit.

Sec. 547.0505. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The

commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from

any source for the purposes of this subchapter.

Sec. 547.0506. WORK GROUP. (a) The commission may

establish a work group to:

(1) assist the commission in developing,

implementing, or evaluating the program; and

(2) prepare a report on the results and outcomes of

grants awarded under this subchapter.

(b) A member of a work group established under this section:

(1) is not entitled to compensation for serving on the

work group; and

(2) may not be reimbursed for travel or other expenses

incurred while conducting the business of the work group.

(c) The work group established under this section is not

subject to Chapter 2110.

Sec. 547.0507. BIENNIAL REPORT. Not later than December 1

of each even-numbered year, the commission shall submit a report to

the governor and the legislature regarding the activities of the

program and grant recipients, including the results and outcomes of

grants awarded under this subchapter.

Sec. 547.0508. RULES. The executive commissioner may adopt

rules necessary to implement this subchapter.

SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2025, the Health and

Human Services Commission shall establish and implement the

ketamine treatment grant program authorized by Subchapter K,

Chapter 547, Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. Not later than December 1, 2026, the Health and

Human Services Commission shall provide the initial report to the

governor and the legislature as required by Section 547.0507,

Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.