87R7238 EAS-D     By: Eckhardt S.B. No. 1346       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the creation of the office of forensic services within   the Department of State Health Services.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 7, Health and Safety Code, is   amended by adding Chapter 535 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 535. OFFICE OF FORENSIC SERVICES          Sec. 535.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:                (1)  "Forensic patient" and "forensic services" have   the meanings assigned by Section 532.013.                (2)  "Office" means the office of forensic services   established within the department under this chapter.          Sec. 535.002.  ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSE.  (a)  The office is   established as an office within the department.          (b)  The office is created to ensure a strategic statewide   approach to the provision of forensic services. The office shall   have input into policy, service delivery, funding, and commission   or department rulemaking regarding the provision of forensic   services to ensure a comprehensive, integrated, and strategic   systems-level approach to forensic services.          (c)  The forensic director appointed under Section 532.013   shall oversee the office.          Sec. 535.003.  POWERS AND DUTIES. (a)  The office shall:                (1)  coordinate and streamline internal commission   processes and forensic services by:                      (A)  monitoring and providing oversight to the   processes;                      (B)  providing clinical leadership; and                      (C)  collecting data related to forensic services   to improve the provision of those services;                (2)  develop a statewide strategic forensic plan as an   addendum to the statewide behavioral health strategic plan to   address the needs of forensic patients;                (3)  develop best practices for inpatient policies and   procedures relating to the provision of forensic services;                (4)  review and consult on all commission contracts   related to the provision of forensic services, diversion efforts,   and crisis services;                (5)  review and consult on all commission contracts for   outpatient and jail-based competency restoration programs;                (6)  examine local initiatives related to the provision   of forensic services;                (7)  evaluate the success of local initiatives   described by Subdivision (6) and, based on that evaluation, develop   and implement a plan to expand successful local initiatives to   other areas in this state, including scaling those initiatives for   use in state facilities licensed under Subtitle B and by other   forensic services providers;                (8)  develop special initiatives at the local, state,   and federal level;                (9)  provide support to the department's Joint   Committee on Access and Forensic Services in the development of   policy and legislative proposals for the improvement of forensic   services in this state;                (10)  provide training and technical assistance to:                      (A)  local mental health authorities;                      (B)  local behavioral health authorities   designated under Section 533.0356;                      (C)  staff members of courts with jurisdiction   over forensic patients;                      (D)  county jails; and                      (E)  law enforcement officers;                (11)  direct and coordinate data analysis to:                      (A)  improve the efficiency of forensic service   commission programs; and                      (B)  evaluate forensic services programs in this   state;                (12)  develop and maintain a comprehensive statewide   registry of forensic hospital bed availability and competency   restoration services;                (13)  develop a coordinated statewide system of   forensic service information and technical assistance;                (14)  identify strategies to maximize competency   restoration programs across this state; and                (15)  develop and implement strategies to address the   increasing demands on the forensic system.          (b)  As part of the office's duties, the office must collect   and analyze data regarding:                (1)  patient outcomes from behavioral health services   and programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental   disabilities, including data from:                      (A)  the grant program established under Section   531.0993, Government Code;                      (B)  outpatient competency restoration service   providers;                      (C)  jail-based competency restoration providers;   and                      (D)  the Harris County Mental Health Jail   Diversion Program;                (2)  the length of time it takes an individual to   receive inpatient competency restoration services;                (3)  the length of time it takes an individual to   receive forensic services; and                (4)  the means by which forensic patients and   justice-involved individuals are receiving forensic services.          SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2021, the   commissioner of state health services shall establish the office of   forensic services within the Department of State Health Services as   required by Chapter 535, Health and Safety Code, as added by this   Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.