88th Texas Legislature Regular Session Wrap Up
SUMMARY – The 88th Legislature delivered a record $11.68 billion for behavioral health, an increase of more than 30% from the previous session. Senator Joan Huffman, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, called it the single largest increase in behavioral health funding by any state legislature in U.S. history.
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$11.68B
in behavioral health funding
$24.5
million for additional mental health services to the Uvalde region.
$158.6
million to increase salaries for mental health workers.
$195
million for locally driven grant programs
Leading up to the 88th Legislative Session, policymakers shared a strong resolve to do more for mental health in Texas, and state leadership made it a session priority.
In the wake of Uvalde and the ongoing, long-term impacts due to COVID-19, there was a clear and growing need to expand effective programs, address workforce shortages, and build additional capacity for care.
To support Texas school children, the Legislature fully funded ($172.7 million) the Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine Program, making it available to every school district in the state that wants it.
The final version of HB 1 (Bonnen), the 2024-25 General Appropriations Act, included nearly $9.37 billion for behavioral health funding across 28 state agencies. SB 30 (Huffman), the supplemental budget, included an additional $2.31 billion to expand mental health capacity.
In addition, the 88th Legislature:
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Helped Uvalde Heal and Build Mental Health Infrastructure for the Future
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Addressed the Mental Health Workforce Crisis
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Built Intensive, Community-Based Capacity for Children, Youth, and Young Adults
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Developed Locally Driven Solutions through Grant Program Expansion
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Supported our Law Enforcement Officers
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Harnessed the Expertise of the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium
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Addressed Lengthy Forensic Waitlists and Crisis Care
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Modernized Foster Care Rates to Support Children and Families