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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the filing requirements for certain documents in mental |
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health cases. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 571.014(c), Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(c) A person may [initially] file a paper with the county |
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clerk by the use of reproduced, photocopied, or electronically |
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transmitted paper [if the person files the original signed copies
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of the paper with the clerk not later than the 72nd hour after the
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hour on which the initial filing is made. If the 72-hour period
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ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the filing period is
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extended until 4 p.m. on the first succeeding business day. If
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extremely hazardous weather conditions exist or a disaster occurs,
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the presiding judge or magistrate may by written order made each day
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extend the filing period until 4 p.m. on the first succeeding
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business day. The written order must declare that an emergency
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exists because of the weather or the occurrence of a disaster. If a
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person detained under this subtitle would otherwise be released
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because the original signed copy of a paper is not filed within the
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72-hour period but for the extension of the filing period under this
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section, the person may be detained until the expiration of the
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extended filing period. This subsection does not affect another
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provision of this subtitle requiring the release or discharge of a
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person]. If the paper is filed with the county clerk by the use of |
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reproduced, photocopied, or electronically transmitted paper, the |
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person filing the paper shall: |
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(1) maintain the original signed copies of the paper; |
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and |
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(2) on request of a party or the court, file the |
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original signed copies of the paper with the clerk. |
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SECTION 2. Section 571.014(d), Health and Safety Code, is |
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repealed. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |