During the 87th legislative session, 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. Some of the bills passed during the session are directly related to mental health and substance use systems and services, while others are related to the social and political determinants of mental health directly impacting individuals and communities.
In light of these developments, the Hogg Foundation has issued a summary of key mental health and substance use-related legislation considered during the 87th 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.
Related Content
What Test Scores Don’t Measure
As the Austin Independent School District wrestles with the possibility of state intervention in its own schools, academic performance should be weighed alongside student well-being and whether students feel supported.
What Comes After the Crisis: Avoiding Whiplash in Reform Efforts
Our latest podcast explores what it takes to avoid “reform whiplash”, the cycle in which systems lurch forward during crisis only to stall or regress once public attention shifts.
Policy: Telling Your Story
Explore how you can use your personal story to shape systems, influence policy, and make their communities stronger.



