By: Uresti  S.B. No. 2079
         (In the Senate - Filed March 13, 2009; March 31, 2009, read
  first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services;
  May 1, 2009, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 9,
  Nays 0; May 1, 2009, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the continuing care plan for persons being discharged
  from state hospitals.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subsection (b), Section 574.081, Health and
  Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The physician shall prepare the plan as prescribed by
  department rules and shall consult the patient and the local mental
  health authority in the area in which the patient will reside before
  preparing the plan.  The plan shall specifically address
  transportation of the patient after discharge and coordination of
  that issue with the local mental health authority and other
  appropriate persons with whom the patient has authorized
  communication.  The local mental health authority is not required
  to participate in preparing a plan for a patient furloughed or
  discharged from a private mental health facility.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
 
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