The concept of local authorities originated in Texas in 1984, as an administrative act of the TDMHMR commissioner, acting as the state authority. The local mental health and mental retardation authorities were conceived as entities at the local level to which TDMHMR could delegate its authority. Originally, the designation was related to service provision and lead responsibility for addressing the needs of individuals returned to their home communities from state schools and state hospitals. Community centers were named as the local authorities in the areas they served, and state facilities' community services division fulfilled these functions in areas not served by a local center. Local authorities were added to the Health and Safety Code and statutory provisions required that community centers be given preference as the designated local authority.
House Bill 2377, passed by the 74th session of the Legislature, was the catalyst for significant changes in the understanding of the concept of local authority. The state authority was authorized to delegate responsibilities to local entities. House Bill 2377 also introduced the important concepts of consumer choice and best value, and placed the responsibility of ensuring both quality and cost-effectiveness on the Local Authority as it develops and manages a network of providers.
In the 75th Legislature, the concept of the local authority was taken a step further with House Bill 1734 which removed the statutory preference given to community centers and required that a process be developed to determine which community centers could be formally recognized as local authorities. For more information regarding Travis County's Local Authority, its purpose and responsibility, see Appendix B.
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