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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a matching grant program for technological enhancements |
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at hospitals providing mental health care services. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 547, Government Code, as effective April |
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1, 2025, is amended by adding Subchapter K to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER K. MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM FOR TECHNOLOGICAL |
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ENHANCEMENTS AT HOSPITALS PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES |
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Sec. 547.0501. APPLICABILITY. This subchapter applies only |
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to: |
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(1) a hospital licensed under Chapter 241, Health and |
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Safety Code; or |
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(2) a hospital licensed under Chapter 577, Health and |
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Safety Code. |
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Sec. 547.0502. ESTABLISHMENT OF MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM. |
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The commission shall establish a matching grant program to enhance |
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the technological capabilities of hospitals providing mental |
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health care services in this state. |
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Sec. 547.0503. ELIGIBILITY FOR GRANT AWARD. To be eligible |
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for a grant under this subchapter, a hospital must: |
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(1) demonstrate the hospital's planned uses for the |
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grant money and matching funds to improve the quality of and access |
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to mental health care services in this state; |
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(2) align with the interoperability and technology |
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standards in the 21st Century Cures Act (Pub. L. No. 114-255); and |
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(3) meet any additional eligibility criteria the |
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commission establishes. |
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Sec. 547.0504. HOSPITAL MATCHING REQUIREMENT. (a) The |
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commission shall condition each grant provided to a hospital under |
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this subchapter on the hospital providing funds from non-state |
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sources in an amount equal to 25 percent of the grant amount. |
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(b) To raise the required non-state sourced funds, the |
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hospital may seek and receive gifts, grants, or donations from any |
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person. |
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Sec. 547.0505. ACCEPTABLE USES OF GRANT MONEY AND MATCHING |
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FUNDS. A hospital awarded a grant under this subchapter may use the |
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grant money and matching funds to: |
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(1) purchase a data recording platform for certified |
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electronic health data; |
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(2) expand the interoperability of health information |
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in the hospital or as part of a network with other health care |
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providers; |
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(3) expand a patient's access to the patient's digital |
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health records and mental health care services; |
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(4) improve information technology infrastructure for |
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data privacy and patient information security, including consent |
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management; and |
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(5) improve the efficiency of mental health care |
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service provision through the use and interconnectivity of mobile |
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devices. |
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Sec. 547.0506. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The |
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commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from |
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any source to award grants under this subchapter. |
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Sec. 547.0507. BIENNIAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 |
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of each even-numbered year, the commission shall submit a report to |
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the legislature regarding the results of the matching grant program |
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administered under this subchapter. |
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Sec. 547.0508. RULES. The commission may adopt any rules |
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necessary to implement this subchapter. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |