The bill, H.B. No. 1621, proposes the establishment of a matching grant program aimed at enhancing technological capabilities in hospitals that provide mental health care services in Texas. It introduces a new subchapter, Subchapter K, to Chapter 547 of the Government Code, which outlines the applicability of the program to hospitals licensed under specific chapters of the Health and Safety Code. The program will require hospitals to demonstrate their planned use of grant funds to improve mental health care quality and access, align with federal interoperability standards, and meet additional eligibility criteria set by the commission.

To qualify for the grants, hospitals must provide matching funds from non-state sources equal to the grant amount, which can be sourced through gifts, grants, or donations. The bill specifies acceptable uses for the grant money, including purchasing data recording platforms, expanding interoperability, improving patient access to digital health records, enhancing information technology infrastructure, and increasing the efficiency of mental health service provision. Additionally, the commission is authorized to solicit donations to support the program and is required to submit a biennial report to the legislature on the program's outcomes. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
House Committee Report: ()
Engrossed: ()