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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the continuing care plan for persons being discharged |
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from state hospitals. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subsection (b), Section 574.081, Health and |
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Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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(b) The physician shall prepare the plan as prescribed by |
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department rules and shall consult the patient and the local mental |
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health authority in the area in which the patient will reside before |
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preparing the plan. The plan shall specifically address |
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transportation of the patient after discharge and coordination of |
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that issue with the local mental health authority and other |
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appropriate persons with whom the patient has authorized |
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communication. The local mental health authority is not required |
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to participate in preparing a plan for a patient furloughed or |
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discharged from a private mental health facility. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |