Legislative Resource Center

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Legislative Resource Center

Location and Contact Information
Robert T. Chapa, Sr. Administration Building
1430 Collier St.
Austin, TX 78704
P: 512-440-4083
F: 512-707-4900
gov@atcic.org

83rd Legislative Session

The 83^rd Texas Legislature's regular session ended Monday, May 27. It was an interesting session filled with surprises and victories in behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) services. An unprecedented bipartisan support and interest in these issues resulted in an unprecedented investment in these areas.

Approximately $1.8 billion will be invested in behavioral health care over the biennium. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) received approximately $240 million, including more than $137 million in new funding. The Department of Aging and Disabilities Services and the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services each also received millions of dollars in additional funding for a variety of initiatives including the reduction of the interest list for service, early childhood intervention and expanded autism programs.

While there is always more to be done, we are excited to share some of this session's notable accomplishments. We will report any notable outcomes relating to behavioral health or IDD services that may arise during the special session. This work would not have been possible without the support of Travis County's delegation and their staff, including Senators Donna Campbell, Kirk Watson and Judith Zaffirini and Representatives Dawnna Dukes, Donna Howard, Elliott Naishtat, Eddie Rodruiguez, Mark Strama and Paul Workman.

Integral Care works collaboratively with the Texas Council of Community Centers to engage the community and stakeholders to participate in promoting access to high-quality, cost-effective community-based treatment and supports, but does not lobby in accordance with Texas law.

Many thanks to the staff at the Texas Council of Community Centers who worked hard throughout the session to ensure the interest of the people we serve was heard by legislators. Click here to read a full recap of the session on their website.

Legislation

To view summaries of some of the major legislation regarding behavioral health and IDD services, click here.

State Appropriation Tables

Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services and Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services

Texas Department of State Health Services (for final budget decisions regarding DSHS behavioral health and substance use programs, click here)

Tweet Your Elected Officials

Click here to access a list of your elected officals on Twitter, where you may also sign and tweet a petition in support of the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid.