88R10398 MPF-D     By: Johnson of Dallas H.B. No. 4561       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of the Alternative Mental Health   Therapy Research Consortium and to certain plans, programs, and   studies related to the provision of those alternative mental health   therapies.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter I-1 to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER I-1. ALTERNATIVE MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIES          Sec. 531.331.  ALTERNATIVE MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY RESEARCH   CONSORTIUM. (a)  In this section, "consortium" means the Texas   Alternative Mental Health Therapy Research Consortium.          (b)  The commission shall establish the Texas Alternative   Mental Health Therapy Research Consortium.          (c)  The consortium is composed of:                (1)  academic scholars with knowledge of the efficacy   of providing mental health therapy using psychedelics;                (2)  representatives of health-related institutions   providing alternative mental health therapies using ketamine;                (3)  mental health professionals who specialize in   providing mental health care to veterans; and                (4)  representatives of an advocacy group for   alternative mental health therapies using psychedelics.          (d)  The executive commissioner shall appoint the members of   the consortium.          (e)  The consortium shall research the efficacy of providing   mental health care through the provision of psychedelic drugs and   ketamine, focusing on the provision of mental health care to   veterans in this state through the use of those alternative   therapies.          (f)  The consortium shall solicit, and the commission may   accept on behalf of the consortium, a gift, grant, or donation made   from any public or private source to accomplish the purposes of this   section.          Sec. 531.332.  GRANT PROGRAM FOR KETAMINE CLINICS. (a)  The   commission shall establish and administer a grant program to   establish ketamine clinics in this state.          (b)  In addition to money appropriated by the legislature,   the commission may accept gifts, grants, or donations from any   source to administer and finance the grant program established   under this section.          Sec. 531.333.  PLAN FOR KETAMINE THERAPY VOUCHER PROGRAM FOR   VETERANS. The commission shall develop a plan to establish a   voucher program to provide ketamine therapy to veterans.          Sec. 531.334.  RULES. The executive commissioner shall   adopt rules to implement this subchapter.          SECTION 2.  (a)  The Health and Human Services Commission   shall conduct a study to evaluate the efficacy of using alternative   therapies, including the use of ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT, to treat   veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder,   depression, and mild traumatic brain injury.          (b)  As part of the study conducted under Subsection (a) of   this section, the commission must review scientific literature   related to alternative therapies.          (c)  Not later than December 1, 2024, the Health and Human   Services Commission shall prepare and submit a report to the   legislature containing the findings of the study and any   recommendations for legislative action.          (d)  This section expires September 1, 2025.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.