The text as introduced · 1,338 words
By: Parker
S.B. No. 2487
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to procedures for and certain facilities providing crisis
and mental health services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 573, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 573.020 to read as follows:
Sec. 573.020. INITIAL EXAMINATION. (a) A licensed mental
health professional shall immediately examine a person who arrives
at a facility if:
(1) an application for detention has been filed for
the person; or
(2) a peace officer or emergency medical services
personnel of an emergency medical services provider transporting
the person in accordance with a memorandum of understanding
executed under Section 573.005 files a notification of detention
completed by the peace officer under Section 573.002(a).
(b) The facility may detain the person if:
(1) the person has rejected voluntary mental health
services; and
(2) as a result of the initial examination conducted
under this section and materials provided for the application for
detention or notification of detention under Subsection (a)(1) or
(2), as applicable, the mental health professional has a reasonable
cause to believe and does believe that:
(A) the person is a person with mental illness;
and
(B) because of that mental illness there is a
substantial risk of serious harm to the person or to others unless
the person is immediately restrained.
SECTION 2. Sections 573.021(a) and (c), Health and Safety
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) Following an initial examination under Section 573.020,
a [ A ] facility shall temporarily accept a person for whom an
application for detention is filed or for whom a peace officer or
emergency medical services personnel of an emergency medical
services provider transporting the person in accordance with a
memorandum of understanding executed under Section 573.005 files a
notification of detention completed by the peace officer under
Section 573.002(a).
(c) A physician shall examine the person accepted for a
preliminary examination as soon as possible within 24 [ 12 ] hours
after the time the person is apprehended by the peace officer or
transported for emergency detention by the person's guardian.
SECTION 3. Section 573.023, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to
read as follows:
(a) A person apprehended by a peace officer or transported
for emergency detention under Subchapter A or detained under
Subchapter B shall be released on completion of :
(1) the initial examination, unless the person is
detained under Section 573.020(b); or
(2) the preliminary examination , unless the person is
admitted to a facility under Section 573.022.
(a-1) On a person's release from a facility under Subsection
(a), the person must be provided information regarding available
outpatient or community-based mental health treatment services.
SECTION 4. Subtitle C, Title 7, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 580 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 580. CRISIS SERVICE CENTERS
Sec. 580.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
Commission.
(2) "Continuum of care program" means a program by the
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist
individuals experiencing homelessness and provide the services
needed to help those individuals move into transitional and
permanent housing, with the goal of long-term stability.
Sec. 580.002. APPLICABILITY. This chapter applies only to
a county with a population of more than 1.2 million.
Sec. 580.003. ESTABLISHMENT OF CRISIS SERVICE CENTERS. (a)
A county to which this chapter applies shall establish a crisis
service center to provide comprehensive crisis and mental health
services, including:
(1) crisis intervention and stabilization services 24
hours a day, seven days a week;
(2) short-term residential care;
(3) medical detoxification;
(4) care coordination services for individuals who
would benefit from ongoing treatment, housing, or other community
resources after being released from a crisis service center;
(5) specialized services for an individual
experiencing homelessness, consistent with an integrated continuum
of care system, including coordination with emergency shelters,
rapid re-housing programs, and permanent supportive housing units;
and
(6) as described by Subsection (d), crisis follow-up
services.
(b) A crisis service center shall employ licensed mental
health professionals, including individuals authorized to provide
mental health services to individuals transported to the center for
involuntary commitment under Chapters 573 and 574.
(c) A crisis service center shall ensure coordination with
law enforcement agencies to prioritize transporting individuals
experiencing a crisis to a crisis service center instead of a more
restrictive setting, as appropriate.
(d) Not later than 72 hours after the crisis service
center's initial intervention, the crisis service center shall
provide crisis follow-up services, which must include a
reassessment of risk, safety planning, and connecting the
individual to mental health and housing services.
(e) The commission shall provide assistance to a county to
establish and operate a crisis service center under this chapter.
(f) A county may coordinate with the Texas Facilities
Commission concerning land or facilities available for
establishing a crisis service center.
Sec. 580.004. HOMELESSNESS SERVICES COORDINATION. A county
shall ensure that an individual who contacts or receives treatment
from a crisis service center is provided access to ongoing care
through collaboration with homelessness service providers and a
continuum of care program. The collaboration must include:
(1) coordination with available housing services for
individuals after leaving the crisis service center's care;
(2) implementation of a coordinated intake process
enabling individuals experiencing homelessness to access
homelessness services and housing support through the crisis
service center; and
(3) case management and housing navigation assistance
services to connect and refer individuals experiencing
homelessness to available long-term support services.
Sec. 580.005. FUNDING. (a) The commission may solicit and
accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source to support
counties establishing and operating a crisis service center under
this chapter.
(b) To qualify for funding from the commission, a county
must submit a comprehensive plan for a crisis service center to the
commission describing how the crisis service center will meet the
requirements established under Sections 580.003 and 580.004.
Sec. 580.006. REPORTS. A county shall prepare and submit to
the commission and the Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs quarterly reports:
(1) covering the outcomes of individuals who received
services from a crisis service center in the county;
(2) providing information related to the results of
operating a crisis service center in the county, including any
reductions in homelessness or other county-wide effects;
(3) evaluating the provision of related services in
the county, including the stability of available housing services;
and
(4) detailing any recommendations for legislative or
other action.
Sec. 580.007. CRISIS SERVICE CENTER ADVISORY BOARD. (a)
The crisis service center advisory board is established to advise
the commission and counties and make recommendations regarding
implementing and operating a crisis service center under this
chapter.
(b) The advisory board is composed of the following
individuals appointed by the governor:
(1) mental health professionals;
(2) representatives of a homelessness service
provider;
(3) representatives of a law enforcement agency;
(4) county officials;
(5) representatives of a continuum of care program;
and
(6) representatives of the commission.
SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act to Chapter
573, Health and Safety Code, apply to an emergency detention that
begins on or after the effective date of this Act. An emergency
detention that begins before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law as it existed immediately before that date, and
that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 6. (a) Not later than September 1, 2028, a county
to which Chapter 580, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act,
applies shall establish a crisis service center as required by
Section 580.003, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2029, a county to which
Chapter 580, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, applies
shall provide the initial report required by Section 580.006,
Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Monitoring 
