By Wednesday night all proposed bills in the Texas Legislature that have not been approved will die.
After the deadly shooting last year at Santa Fe High School, lawmakers wanted something done about mental health in schools, Senate Bill 10 was the hopeful resolution. Filed by State Representative Jane Nelson, the bill would improve access to mental health resources with a focus of at-risk-youth.
However, the bill fell through due to a technicality Tuesday that was suddenly resurrected Wednesday and added to Senate Bill 11.
Beverly Womack has worked in the mental health profession for more than 30 years and believes the bill should be passed.
"If there's a mental health issue or an emotional issue, prefer to call it with young children, then it needs intervention at that time,” Womack said.
Womack expresses the necessity for not only children to have access to mental health but adults as well.
“Senate Bill 10 would be very important in connecting the psychiatrist, the medical doctors, and psychiatrists, particularly with mental health professionals," Womack said.
At this time, children who are covered by Medicaid or by their parents preferred insurance plan, have access to mental health resources. Senate Bill 10 would help widen that access by creating a Texas Mental Health Consortium to bring psychiatric professionals to schools and provide training to school staff and pediatricians.
“Those group of mental health professionals would be adequate in many, many, many cases," Womack said.
The bill was supported by all Democrats and Republicans of the Texas Senate. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick made it one of his top legislative priorities. Governor Gregg Abbott even called it an emergency item. It was shut down due to State Representative Jonathan Strickland’s point of order, stating it is an inaccuracy with “bad unintended consequences.”
“Psychiatrists are very important part of our mental health spectrum," Womack said. "This we could say, you know, we all need to work together. And we need to be able to share that information, which is critical.”
To find out more information visit Senate Bill 11.