Text of section effective on April 01, 2025
Sec. 547A.0001.  GRANTS FOR ESTABLISHING AND EXPANDING COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVES.  (a)  To the extent funds are appropriated to the commission for that purpose, the commission shall make grants to entities, including local governmental entities, nonprofit community organizations, and faith-based community organizations, to establish or expand community collaboratives that bring the public and private sectors together to provide services to individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use issues, or mental illness.  In awarding grants, the commission shall give special consideration to entities:
(1)  establishing new collaboratives; or
(2)  establishing or expanding collaboratives that serve two or more counties, each with a population of less than 100,000.
(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), the commission shall require each entity awarded a grant under this section to:
(1)  leverage additional funding or in-kind contributions from private contributors or local governments, excluding state or federal funds, in an amount that is at least equal to the amount of the grant awarded under this section;
(2)  provide evidence of significant coordination and collaboration between the entity, local mental health authorities, municipalities, local law enforcement agencies, and other community stakeholders in establishing or expanding a community collaborative funded by a grant awarded under this section; and
(3)  provide evidence of a local law enforcement policy to divert appropriate individuals from jails or other detention facilities to an entity affiliated with a community collaborative for the purpose of providing services to those individuals.
(c)  The commission may award a grant under this section to an entity for the purpose of establishing a community mental health program in a county with a population of less than 250,000, if the entity leverages additional funding or in-kind contributions from private contributors or local governments, excluding state or federal funds, in an amount equal to one-quarter of the grant amount to be awarded under this section, and the entity otherwise meets the requirements of Subsections (b)(2) and (3).
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025.