Legislation Details

File #: 26-3542    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Policy Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 5/28/2026 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 6/11/2026 Final action:
Title: Request for discussion and possible action 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 July 9, 2026 Commissioners Court meeting to present options to amend the Harris County Personnel Policies & Procedures.
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
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Primary Department: County Judge

Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Lina Hidalgo

 

Secondary Department: N/A

Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A

 

Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCAType 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):

title

Request for discussion and possible action 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 July 9, 2026 Commissioners Court meeting to present options to amend the Harris County Personnel Policies & Procedures.

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Background and Discussion:

Law enforcement officers and HCPH frontline workers have policies that allow them to take up to 3 days of mental health leave. However, this is not available to all Harris County employees. This item asks HRT in coordination with other relevant county departments to bring options to amend the Harris County Personnel Policies and Procedures to include paid mental health leave for employees not already covered by an existing departmental policy.

 

 

Expected Impact:

Options will be brought back to court to amend the Harris County Personnel Policies and Procedures to include paid mental health leave for those employees not already covered by an existing department policy.

 

 

 

Alternative Options:  Keeping the current Personnel Policies without changes regarding mental health.

 

 

County Strategic Plan Goal:  4. Improve physical and mental health outcomes across all communities.

County Strategic Plan Objective: N/A

Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1):  N/A

Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2):  N/A

Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A

Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A

Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A

Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A

 

Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan: N/A

 

Prior Court Action (if any):

Date

Agenda Item #

Action Taken

9/13/2022

36

Court authorized mental health leave for law enforcement as required by SB 1359 (87R)

11/15/2022

38

Court expanded this leave to detention and communication officers of HCSO and Constables, as well as frontline workers of HCPH

 

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Precinct(s): Countywide

 

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County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only)

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CAO Review Completion Date

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Anticipated Court Date: 6/11/2026

Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): N/A

 

Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item

 

Contact(s) name, title, department: Veronyka James, Policy Director, County Judge’s Office

 

Attachments (if applicable): N/A