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Bill

HB 281

Relating to disaster behavioral health coordination and response.

89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025) Introduced by Penny Morales Shaw

HB 281 establishes disaster behavioral health coordination protocols to ensure mental health services reach Texans during and after emergencies.

Filed
#counseling&therapy(s4389) #disasterpreparedness&relief(i0211) #emergencymanagement #texasdivisionof(vp6fw) #health&humanservicescommission(v0177) #health--general(i0385) #mentalhealth&substanceabuse(i0019) #statefinances--management&control(i0748)
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Bill Summary · HB 281

Legislative bill overview

HB 281 establishes a framework for coordinating behavioral health services during and after declared disasters in Texas. The bill appears to create organizational structures and protocols to ensure mental health and substance abuse resources are effectively deployed to affected communities during emergency situations.

Why is this important

Disasters create significant psychological trauma and mental health crises alongside physical destruction. Without coordinated behavioral health response systems, vulnerable populations may lack access to critical mental health services when they're most needed, potentially leading to long-term psychological consequences and increased suicide/substance abuse rates post-disaster.

Potential points of contention

  • Resource allocation: Questions about funding sources and whether sufficient state/federal resources will be dedicated to behavioral health versus physical infrastructure recovery
  • Coordination complexity: Potential confusion over which agencies (DSHS, local health departments, FEMA, private providers) have authority and responsibility during different disaster phases
  • Equity and access: Concerns about whether the coordination system adequately serves rural, uninsured, or marginalized communities that typically face greatest barriers to mental health care

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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