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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the care of pregnant women in county jail or in the |
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custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 501, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 501.0668 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 501.0668. DUTIES FOLLOWING MISCARRIAGE OR PHYSICAL OR |
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SEXUAL ASSAULT OF PREGNANT INMATE. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Physical assault" means any conduct that |
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constitutes an offense under Section 22.01 or 22.02, Penal Code. |
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(2) "Sexual assault" means any conduct that |
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constitutes an offense under Section 22.011 or 22.021, Penal Code. |
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(b) As soon as practicable after receiving a report of a |
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miscarriage or physical or sexual assault of a pregnant inmate, the |
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department shall ensure that an obstetrician or gynecologist and a |
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mental health professional promptly: |
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(1) review the health care services provided to the |
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inmate; and |
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(2) order additional health care services, including |
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obstetrical and gynecological services and mental health services, |
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as appropriate. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 351, Local Government |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 351.048 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 351.048. DUTIES FOLLOWING MISCARRIAGE OR PHYSICAL OR |
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SEXUAL ASSAULT OF PREGNANT PRISONER. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Physical assault" means any conduct that |
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constitutes an offense under Section 22.01 or 22.02, Penal Code. |
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(2) "Sexual assault" means any conduct that |
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constitutes an offense under Section 22.011 or 22.021, Penal Code. |
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(b) As soon as practicable after receiving a report of a |
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miscarriage or physical or sexual assault of a pregnant prisoner |
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while in the custody of a county jail, the sheriff shall ensure that |
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an obstetrician or gynecologist and a mental health professional |
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promptly: |
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(1) review the health care services provided to the |
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prisoner; and |
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(2) order additional health care services, including |
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obstetrical and gynecological services and mental health services, |
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as appropriate. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |