By: Naishtat (Senate Sponsor - Garcia) H.B. No. 1908

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 18, 2015; May 18, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal Justice; May 22, 2015, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 22, 2015, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the continuity of care for offenders with mental impairments.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 614.013, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(b-1) Subject to available resources, and to the extent feasible, the methods established under Subsection (b) must ensure that each offender with a mental impairment is identified and qualified for the continuity of care system and serve adults with severe and persistent mental illness who are experiencing significant functional impairment due to a mental health disorder that is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), including:

(1) major depressive disorder, including single episode or recurrent major depressive disorder;

(2) post-traumatic stress disorder;

(3) schizoaffective disorder, including bipolar and depressive types;

(4) psychotic disorder;

(5) anxiety disorder;

(6) delusional disorder; or

(7) any other diagnosed mental health disorder that is severe or persistent in nature.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.

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