Primary Department: Human Resources and Talent
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Andrea Coughlin Rowley, Chief People Officer
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Policy
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request for discussion and possible action to provide up to 24 hours of paid mental health leave for eligible full-time regular employees not currently covered under Texas Government Code, Chapter 614.015 or Harris County Paid Mental Health leave approved by Commissioners Court on November 15, 2022.
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Background and Discussion:
Pursuant to Commissioners Court’s directive of June 11, 2026 (Agenda Item 322), HRT coordinated with the Office of County Administration, the County Attorney’s Office, OMB, Universal Services, the Auditor’s Office, and other relevant departments to develop a countywide Paid Mental Health Leave policy for regular, full-time employees not already covered under the Texas Government Code, Chapter 614.015, or any other paid mental health leave program approved by Commissioners Court.
The Commissioners Court approved option will be codified as an amendment to Section 12 of the HC Personnel Policies and Procedures:
Option 1 - Wellness Leave from available accrued Sick Leave: Eligible employees may use up to 24 hours of accrued Sick Leave per calendar year for mental health, emotional, or psychological well-being. Hours are deducted from existing Sick Leave balances; no new leave bank is created and there is no additional fiscal impact. Excluded: employees already covered by paid mental health leave under Tex. Gov’t Code Ch. 614.015 or another Commissioners Court-approved program.
Option 2 - Standalone Paid Mental Health Leave: Commissioners Court approves 24 hours of Paid Mental Health Leave as a standalone benefit, separate from accrued Sick Leave, available to all eligible regular, full-time employees. Excluded: employees already covered under Tex. Gov’t Code Ch. 614.015 or another Commissioners Court-approved program. Expected fiscal impact: pending OMB cost analysis (see attached Fiscal Review Request Form).
HRT recommends Commissioners Court select the option that best reflects the County’s fiscal posture and direct HRT to implement the corresponding amendment to the HCPPP effective August 8th, 2026.
Expected Impact:
Option 1: No additional fiscal impact to the County. The benefit is drawn entirely from each employee’s existing accrued Sick Leave balance; no new leave bank is created and no additional appropriation is required. Department Heads will be responsible for managing coverage during any Wellness Leave absences in accordance with existing staffing practices. This option does not apply to employees already covered by paid mental health leave under Texas Government Code, Chapter 614.015, or any other paid mental health leave program approved by Commissioners Court.
Option 2: The Office of Management and Budget has determined the estimated annual cost of Option 2 to be $6,600,000. This figure reflects the cost of providing 24 hours of Paid Mental Health Leave as a recurring annual benefit to eligible regular, full-time County employees not already covered by an existing paid mental health leave program. This amount represents a recurring expense to the County’s General Fund and would require an appropriation from Commissioners Court. This option does not apply to employees already covered by paid mental health leave under Texas Government Code, Chapter 614.015, or any other paid mental health leave program approved by Commissioners Court.
Regardless of the option selected, HRT will absorb all implementation and distribution activities within existing resources.
Alternative Options: N/A
County Strategic Plan Goal: N/A
County Strategic Plan Objective: K: Provide workers with training and other supports (e.g. child care) to participate fully in the local economy.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): L1: Design a set of policies for Harris County to set dynamic living wage rates and ensure essential worker protections and high-quality benefits for all Harris County contracts, employees, and economic agreements.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N1: Improve coordination of public health efforts and campaign delivery among local health agencies and nonprofits.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan: New Dept. Performance Measure: Mental Health Hours Used per Eligible Employee | Strategic Objective: Improve physical and mental health outcomes across all communities | Next FY Target w/ Funding: 8 Hours per eligible employee
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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6/11/2026 |
322 |
To direct Human Resources and Talent to coordinate with the Office of County Administration, County Attorney’s Office, Office of Management and Budget, Universal Services, Auditor’s Office, and other relevant departments on drafting a countywide Paid Mental Health Leave policy that applies to all regular, full-time employees not already covered by an existing department policy, and return to the August 6, 2026 Commissioners Court meeting to present options to amend the Harris County Personnel Policies & Procedures. |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Paid Mental Health Leave |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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$6,600,000 |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s) |
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County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only) |
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CAO Reviewer Name and Title |
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CAO Review Completion Date |
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Anticipated Court Date: 8/6/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 8/8/2026
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Erika Owens, HR Director, Human Resources and Talent
Attachments (if applicable):
• Proposed Paid Mental Health Leave Policies - Option 1 or 2, Amendment to Harris County Personnel Policies and Procedures, Section 12
• Fiscal Review Request Form - Option 2