86th Legislature Regular Session Behavioral Health Appropriations

Total behavioral health funding appropriated by the 86th Legislature is estimated to be $8.2 billion across all funding sources. MMHPI estimates this to be an increase of $616 million over the total funding appropriated by the 85th Legislature. These funds support programs at 23 state agencies across six articles in the state budget.

Funding Included

• $100 million to establish the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium to foster collaboration among our state’s medical schools and leverage their mental health expertise for the benefit of Texas children and families, promote and coordinate mental health research, and address workforce issues.
• $120 million to support grants to local communities to expand access to mental health services, including $60 million for programs that support justice-involved individuals, $40 million to support state-local collaborations to address gaps in behavioral health services, and $20 million for the Texas Veterans + Family Alliance Grant Program.
• $445 million from the Economic Stabilization Fund for Phase II of the Comprehensive Plan to redesign state hospitals, including $165 million to begin construction of a 240-bed replacement of Austin State Hospital, and $190.3 million to begin construction of a 300-bed replacement of San Antonio State Hospital.
• $100 million to fund a new School Safety Allotment for school districts, which can be used for costs associated with hiring mental health personnel as well as for providing behavioral health services and supports.
• $59 million to address population growth, current and projected waitlists, and equity issues for community mental health services for adults and children.
• $26 million to fund an additional 50 community inpatient psychiatric beds.