By: Coleman (Senate Sponsor - Gallegos) H.B. No. 1566
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 27, 2011;
  April 28, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on
  Criminal Justice; May 9, 2011, reported favorably by the following
  vote:  Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 9, 2011, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the authority of counties to appoint, contract for, or
  employ physicians, dentists, or other health care providers for
  county jails.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
  SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 351, Local Government
  Code, is amended by adding Section 351.045 to read as follows:
         Sec. 351.045.  EMPLOYMENT OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. (a)  The
  commissioners court of a county may appoint, contract for, or
  employ licensed physicians, dentists, or other health care
  providers to provide health care services to inmates in the custody
  of the sheriff.
         (b)  This section may not be construed as authorizing a
  commissioners court to supervise or control the practice of
  medicine as prohibited by Subtitle B, Title 3, Occupations Code, or
  to supervise or control the practice of dentistry as prohibited by
  Subtitle D, Title 3, Occupations Code.
         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, 2011.
 
  * * * * *