Sec. 113.0181. MENTAL HEALTH CARE ACCESS PROGRAM FOR RURAL HOSPITALS AND RURAL HEALTH CLINICS. (a) Using the network of comprehensive child psychiatry access centers established under Section 113.0151 , the consortium shall establish or expand provider consultation programs to assist health care practitioners providing services at rural hospitals or rural health clinics to: (1) identify and assess the behavioral health needs of pediatric and perinatal patients seeking services at the hospital or clinic; and (2) identify necessary mental health care services to improve access to mental health care services for pediatric and perinatal patients seeking services at the hospital or clinic. (b) The consortium, in collaboration with a rural hospital organization, shall develop a plan to establish, under the authority provided in Section 113.0151 (b) and not later than September 1, 2026, telemedicine or telehealth programs to identify and assess behavioral health needs and provide access to mental health care services for pediatric patients seeking services at rural hospitals or rural health clinics. The plan may include limitations on the hours of the day during which services provided by the telemedicine or telehealth programs are available. The plan shall provide access to mental health care services for pediatric patients seeking services at the rural hospital or rural health clinic at the same or a substantially similar level as the mental health care services provided to students attending school in a school district for which the consortium has made available mental health care services under this chapter. (c) On or after September 1, 2026, and subject to available appropriations, the consortium shall establish a program establishing or expanding telemedicine or telehealth programs to identify and assess behavioral health needs and provide access to mental health care services for pediatric patients seeking services at rural hospitals or rural health clinics.
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