HBA-TBM H.B. 2003 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2003
By: Maxey
Corrections
3/18/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The growing population of mentally ill offenders in the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice (TDCJ) is in need of new, more effective medications for
the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychoses. The Texas Department of
Mental Health and Mental Retardation (MHMR) has developed a nationally
recognized medical algorithm system known as the Texas Medication Algorithm
Project (TMAP) that provides consistent treatment using the most effective
medications. Specifically, the algorithm system is most effective when
treating patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and
clinical depression.  TDCJ may benefit from the use of the TMAP system
because of its potential for long-term savings from reduced prison
hospitalization, better patient functioning, and fewer repeat offenses by
mentally ill persons.  House Bill 2003 requires TDCJ to use medication
algorithms issued by MHMR in the treatment of mentally ill inmates. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2003 amends the Government Code to require the Texas Department
of Criminal Justice to provide for the use of the medication algorithms
issued by the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation in
the treatment of mentally ill inmates who receive managed health care
services.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.