By Farabee                                            H.B. No. 1073
         77R11203 JJT-F                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the hours of operation of certain courts for
 1-3     proceedings under the Texas Mental Health Code.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Section 571.012, Health and Safety Code, is
 1-6     amended to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 571.012.  COURT HOURS; AVAILABILITY OF JUDGE OR
 1-8     MAGISTRATE.  The probate court or court having probate jurisdiction
 1-9     shall be open [at all times] for proceedings under this subtitle
1-10     during normal business hours.  The probate judge or magistrate
1-11     shall be available at all times at the request of a person
1-12     apprehended or detained under Chapter 573, or a proposed patient
1-13     under Chapter 574.
1-14           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-15     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-16     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-17     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-18     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.