Bill Text: TX HB71 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Relating to the transportation of certain mental health patients.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2017-04-24 - Referred to Health & Human Services [HB71 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB71-Engrossed.html

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85R15679 SMT-D
By: Martinez H.B. No. 71

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the transportation of certain mental health patients.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 573.012, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Subsections (j) and (k) to read as follows:
(j) In a county located on the Texas-Mexico border that has
a population of 500,000 or more and is adjacent to two or more
counties each of which has a population of 50,000 or more, the judge
or magistrate may authorize, in the following order of priority,
the transportation of a person apprehended under this section to
the appropriate mental health facility by:
(1) a relative or other responsible person who has a
proper interest in the person's welfare and who receives no
remuneration, except for actual and necessary expenses;
(2) the facility administrator of the appropriate
mental health facility, unless the administrator notifies the judge
or magistrate that facility personnel are not available to
transport the patient;
(3) a representative of the local mental health
authority, who shall be reimbursed by the county;
(4) a special officer for mental health assignment
certified under Section 1701.404, Occupations Code, who shall be
reimbursed by the Department of State Health Services from money
appropriated for that purpose, or if money is not appropriated for
that purpose, as provided by Section 571.018; or
(5) the sheriff, a constable, or any on-duty peace
officer if no person is available under Subdivision (1), (2), (3),
or (4), who shall be reimbursed by the Department of State Health
Services from money appropriated for that purpose, or if money is
not appropriated for that purpose, as provided by Section 571.018.
(k) A person who under Subsection (j) is authorized by the
court to transport a person to a mental health facility may contract
with a person that is listed as a qualified transportation service
provider by the commissioners court of the county in which the court
is located to provide the transportation authorized by the court.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 573, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 573.013 to read as follows:
Sec. 573.013. LIST OF QUALIFIED TRANSPORTATION SERVICE
PROVIDERS. The commissioners court of a county located on the
Texas-Mexico border that has a population of 500,000 or more and is
adjacent to two or more counties each of which has a population of
50,000 or more by order shall:
(1) establish and maintain a list of qualified
transportation service providers with whom a person may contract in
accordance with Section 573.012;
(2) prescribe uniform standards that a person must
meet to be listed as a qualified transportation service provider;
(3) establish an application procedure for a person to
be included on the list, including an appropriate application fee
to be deposited in the county general fund;
(4) require officers and employees of the county to
contract with persons on the list, on a rotating basis, when the
officer or employee is authorized to provide transportation under
Section 573.012(j)(5);
(5) ensure that the list is made available to any
person authorized to provide transportation under Section 573.012;
and
(6) establish a procedure for a person to be removed
from the list not later than 30 days after the date the
commissioners court receives notice that the person chooses to be
removed.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.