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Travis County leaders say Austin State Hospital jail diversion bill failed; county staff to regroup on mental‑health strategy
Summary
Travis County legislative staff told the joint subcommittee that a bill to use decommissioned Austin State Hospital sites for a jail‑diversion mental health center did not pass; staff also summarized other session outcomes including bills on 287(g) agreements, bail changes and land‑use preemption that will affect county operations.
Julie Wheeler, intergovernmental relations officer for Travis County, told the joint subcommittee that a county priority to establish a jail‑diversion mental‑health center using decommissioned Austin State Hospital sites passed one chamber but did not reach final enactment this session.
Wheeler said the Austin State Hospital initiative "did get past the house, did not pass over to the final chamber." She said the county will explore next steps and that passing the proposal will require broad community effort.
Wheeler reviewed a range of other legislative outcomes affecting the county. She said bills that did pass include measures affecting early‑voting timing…
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