Sec. 113.0151. CHILD PSYCHIATRY ACCESS NETWORK AND TELEMEDICINE AND TELEHEALTH PROGRAMS. (a) The consortium shall establish a network of comprehensive child psychiatry access centers. A center established under this section shall:

(1) be located at a health-related institution of higher education listed in Section 113.0052(1); and

(2) provide consultation services and training opportunities for pediatricians and primary care providers operating in the center's geographic region to better care for children and youth with behavioral health needs.

(b) The consortium shall establish or expand telemedicine or telehealth programs for identifying and assessing behavioral health needs and providing access to mental health care services. The consortium shall implement this subsection with a focus on the behavioral health needs of at-risk children and adolescents.

(c) A health-related institution of higher education listed in Section 113.0052(1) may enter into a memorandum of understanding with a community mental health provider to:

(1) establish a center under Subsection (a); or

(2) establish or expand a program under Subsection (b).

(d) The consortium shall leverage the resources of a hospital system under Subsection (a) or (b) if the hospital system:

(1) provides consultation services and training opportunities for pediatricians and primary care providers that are consistent with those described by Subsection (a); and

(2) has an existing telemedicine or telehealth program for identifying and assessing the behavioral health needs of and providing access to mental health care services for children and adolescents.

Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 464 (S.B. 11), Sec. 22, eff. June 6, 2019.