Bill > HB967

This bill requires the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to conduct a comprehensive study on the potential relationship between psychoactive or psychotropic medication and suicide. The study will examine medication usage, duration, and potential withdrawal symptoms for individuals who have died by suicide, using data from autopsy, toxicology, and police reports collected between 2016 and 2022 in counties with populations of 450,000 or more. Specifically, the commission will investigate the period individuals were taking medication, the specific medications involved, evidence of withdrawal symptoms, and cases where medication use was not initially documented but might have been recently discontinued. By October 1, 2025, the commission must submit a written report of its findings to the governor, lieutenant governor, and house speaker. The study will be considered a public record, and the commission must protect personally identifiable information throughout the research process. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and defines key terms such as "psychoactive medication" and "psychotropic medication" using existing state legal definitions to ensure clarity and precision in the research approach.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB967