Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
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Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
Relating to the creation of a mental health jail diversion pilot program in Bexar County.
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB 3621, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($7,070,878) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
HB 3621 would require the Health and Human Services Commission, in collaboration with the local mental health authority, to establish a pilot program in Bexar County for jail diversion for offenders with mental health issues. They would have to coordinate with the University of the Incarnate Word and Southwest General Hospital to develop mental health services and collaborate with the South Texas Crisis Collaborative to collect data. The program would have to target offenders with severe mental health issues, substance abuse issues, and a high risk of recidivism. The Commission would be responsible for funding the program and completing a report on the program’s effectiveness for the Legislature.
If
enacted, the pilot program would automatically expire on September 1, 2023 unless continued or expanded by the 88th Legislature.