TPPF’s Kate Murphy to testify before Texas Senate Health & Human Services Committee

Texas Public Policy Foundation’s (TPPF) Mental Health Policy Fellow Kate Murphy is testifying before the Texas Senate Health & Human Services Committee TODAY, Wednesday, April 1, at 8:00 a.m. CDT in the Senate Chamber of the Texas State Capitol. Murphy will testify on Senate Bill 1507, relating to the appointment of a forensic medical director responsible for statewide coordination and oversight of forensic mental health services provided by the Department of State Health Services.

“Forensic pressure on the state mental health hospital system is exacerbating the hospitals’ capacity crisis,” said Murphy. “A forensic director would help ensure proper placement of patients committed to state mental health hospitals through criminal proceedings. Proper placement promotes effective and efficient use of both state and community criminal justice and behavioral health resources. Texas must make the best use of existing resources, and a forensic director’s guidance and coordination should help alleviate the pressure on the limited resources of our state’s mental health hospital system.”
 

More information about the hearing can be found at: http://txpo.li/1agkr5q

To schedule an interview with Ms. Murphy please contact Caroline Espinosa at [email protected] or 512-472-2700.