cover of legislative summaryDuring the 86th legislative session, mental health and substance use continued to garner significant attention, with school safety/mental health and opioid use high on the policy agenda. The Texas Legislature continued to invest resources to improve access to supports and services, address the mental health workforce shortage, and improve the quality of behavioral health services needed by Texans. The investment made to continue the redesign and construction of inpatient mental health services is another indicator of the legislative commitment to ensure that critical mental health services needed by Texans are available.  

In light of these developments, the Hogg Foundation has issued a summary of key mental health and substance  use-related legislation considered during the 86th legislative session. For more information, please contact Colleen Horton, Director of Policy, colleen.horton@austin.utexas.edu or Shannon Hoffman, Policy Program Specialist, Shannon.hoffman@austin.utexas.edu