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.