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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to processes to ensure continuity of care and services for |
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certain offenders. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 614, Health and Safety Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 614.0175 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 614.0175. CONTINUITY OF CARE AND SERVICES FOR CERTAIN |
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OFFENDERS. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Local behavioral health authority" means an |
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authority designated by the Health and Human Services Commission |
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under Section 533.0356. |
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(2) "Local mental health authority" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 531.002. |
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(b) A local mental health authority or local behavioral |
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health authority that receives notice that an individual to whom |
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the authority provided services has been processed by a local jail |
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may not refuse to provide services or discontinue services to the |
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individual on that basis alone. |
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(c) The Commission on Jail Standards shall require each |
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local jail regulated by the commission to notify a local mental |
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health authority or local behavioral health authority described by |
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Subsection (b) before the jail releases an individual to whom the |
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authority provided services to ensure the individual receives |
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continuity of care and services. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |