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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the transportation of certain mental health patients. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 574.045(a), Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The court may authorize, in the following order of |
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priority, the transportation of a committed patient or a patient |
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detained under Section 573.022 or 574.023 to the designated mental |
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health facility by: |
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(1) a special officer for mental health assignment |
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certified under Section 1701.404, Occupations Code [a relative or
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other responsible person who has a proper interest in the patient's
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welfare and who receives no remuneration, except for actual and
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necessary expenses]; |
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(2) the facility administrator of the designated |
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mental health facility, unless [if] the administrator notifies the |
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court that facility personnel are not available to transport the |
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patient; |
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(3) [a special officer for mental health assignment
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certified under Section 1701.404, Occupations Code;
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[(4)] a representative of the local mental health |
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authority, who shall be reimbursed by the county; |
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(4) a relative or other responsible person who has a |
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proper interest in the patient's welfare and who receives no |
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remuneration, except for actual and necessary expenses; or |
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(5) the sheriff or constable[, if no person is
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available under Subdivision (1), (2), (3), or (4)]. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |