Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

___ HEALTH AND HUMAN
ERVICES/Regulatory
UMAN SERVICES
77 th Texas Legislature
hospitalization. At the physician’s request, the hospital may act on the physician's behalf in securing and
discharging the lien.
Provides that this lien does not cover charges by the physician related to emergency hospital care services:
• for which the physician has accepted insurance benefits or payment under a private medical
indemnity plan or program, regardless of whether the benefits or payment equal the full amount of
the charges for those services;
• if the injured individual has coverage under a private medical indemnity plan or program from which
the physician is entitled to recover payment for services under an assignment of benefits or similar
rights; or
• if the physician is a member of the legislature.
Texas Medication Algorithm Project and Inmates with Mental Illness - S.B. 636
by Senator Armbrister
House Sponsor: Representative Maxey
Texas prisoners with a serious mental illness are not receiving adequate treatment, leading to longer prison
time served, mental deterioration, and, at the end of their sentences, the release of candidates who are
poorly suited for reintegration into society.
Requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the potential use of
the Texas Medication Algorithm project, as developed by the Texas Department of Mental Health and
Mental Retardation, to treat persons with mental illness in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice.
Requires the Texas Youth Commission to review the benefits of the potential use of the Children’s
Medication Algorithm project, as developed by the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental
Retardation, to treat children with mental illness in the custody of the commission.
Requires the Texas Council on Offenders with Mental Impairments, in conjunction with the Criminal Justice
Policy Council, to oversee the analysis.
Investigating Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation of Persons in State Facilities - S.B. 664
by Senator Madla
House Sponsor: Representative Naishtat
The 76th Legislature directed the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to create a workgroup
on issues related to abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children in state facilities. The working group made
a series of recommendations concerning the exploitation of children in state facilities including, defining
abuse, exploitation, and neglect, and the investigation of reports of such activities in state facilities.
Senate Research Center 156