SRC-JBJ S.B. 1582 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1582
By: Van de Putte
Criminal Justice
4/4/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, certain medical care providers are contracted with to provide
health care for inmates in the institutional division of the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice (department).  While the Correctional
Managed Health Care Committee (committee) oversees medical care for these
inmates and investigates medical grievances, medical care providers are not
obligated to act on these grievances.  As proposed, S.B. 1582 requires a
medical care provider to respond to a medical grievance inquiry referred by
the department or the committee not later than the 20th day after the date
the grievance is referred to the provider. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 501.150, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(d), to require a medical care provider, if the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice (department) refers a medical grievance to the medical
care provider, to respond to the grievance inquiry not later than the 20th
day after the date the department refers the grievance. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 501.151, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(d), to require a medical care provider, if the Correctional Managed Health
Care Committee (committee) refers a medical grievance to the medical care
provider, to respond to the grievance inquiry not later than the 20th day
after the date the committee refers the grievance. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.
            Makes application of this Act prospective.