84R1586 EES-D
 
  By: Martinez H.B. No. 62
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the transportation of certain mental health patients.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 573.012, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Subsections (j) and (k) to read as follows:
         (j)  In a county located on the Texas-Mexico border that has
  a population of 500,000 or more and is adjacent to two or more
  counties each of which has a population of 50,000 or more, the judge
  or magistrate may authorize, in the following order of priority,
  the transportation of a person apprehended under this section to
  the appropriate mental health facility by:
               (1)  a relative or other responsible person who has a
  proper interest in the person's welfare and who receives no
  remuneration, except for actual and necessary expenses;
               (2)  the facility administrator of the appropriate
  mental health facility, unless the administrator notifies the judge
  or magistrate that facility personnel are not available to
  transport the patient;
               (3)  a representative of the local mental health
  authority, who shall be reimbursed by the county;
               (4)  a special officer for mental health assignment
  certified under Section 1701.404, Occupations Code, who shall be
  reimbursed by the Department of State Health Services from money
  appropriated for that purpose, or if money is not appropriated for
  that purpose, as provided by Section 571.018; or
               (5)  the sheriff, a constable, or any on-duty peace
  officer if no person is available under Subdivision (1), (2), (3),
  or (4), who shall be reimbursed by the Department of State Health
  Services from money appropriated for that purpose, or if money is
  not appropriated for that purpose, as provided by Section 571.018.
         (k)  A person who under Subsection (j) is authorized by the
  court to transport a person to a mental health facility may contract
  with a person that is listed as a qualified transportation service
  provider by the commissioners court of the county in which the court
  is located to provide the transportation authorized by the court.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 573, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 573.013 to read as follows:
         Sec. 573.013.  LIST OF QUALIFIED TRANSPORTATION SERVICE
  PROVIDERS.  The commissioners court of a county located on the
  Texas-Mexico border that has a population of 500,000 or more and is
  adjacent to two or more counties each of which has a population of
  50,000 or more by order shall:
               (1)  establish and maintain a list of qualified
  transportation service providers with whom a person may contract in
  accordance with Section 573.012;
               (2)  prescribe uniform standards that a person must
  meet to be listed as a qualified transportation service provider;
               (3)  establish an application procedure for a person to
  be included on the list, including an appropriate application fee
  to be deposited in the county general fund;
               (4)  require officers and employees of the county to
  contract with persons on the list, on a rotating basis, when the
  officer or employee is authorized to provide transportation under
  Section 573.012(j)(5); and
               (5)  ensure that the list is made available to any
  person authorized to provide transportation under Section 573.012.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.