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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 patients to a mental |
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health facility. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sections 574.045(a) and (a-1), Health and Safety |
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Code, are 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; |
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(2) the facility administrator of the designated |
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mental health facility, unless the administrator notifies the court |
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that facility personnel are not available to transport the patient; |
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(3) [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;
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[(4)] a representative of the local mental health |
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authority, who shall be reimbursed by the county, unless the |
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representative notifies the court that local mental health |
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authority personnel are not qualified to ensure the safety of the |
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patient during transport; |
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(4) [(5)] a qualified transportation service provider |
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selected from the list established and maintained as required by |
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Section 574.0455 by the commissioners court of the county in which |
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the court authorizing the transportation is located; [or] |
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(5) [(6)] the sheriff or constable; or |
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(6) 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. |
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(a-1) A person who under Subsection (a)(1), (2), or (5) |
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[(6)] is authorized by the court to transport a person to a mental |
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health facility may contract with a qualified transportation |
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service provider that is included on the list established and |
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maintained as required by Section 574.0455 by the commissioners |
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court of the county in which the court is located to provide the |
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transportation authorized by the court. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |