By: Gallegos S.B. No. 955
(Coleman)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authority of counties to appoint, contract for, or
employ physicians, dentists, or other health care providers for
county jails.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 351, Local Government
Code, is amended by adding Section 351.045 to read as follows:
Sec. 351.045. EMPLOYMENT OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.
(a) The commissioners court of a county may appoint, contract for,
or employ licensed physicians, dentists, or other health care
providers to provide health care services to inmates in the custody
of the sheriff.
(b) This section may not be construed as authorizing a
commissioners court to supervise or control the practice of
medicine as prohibited by Subtitle B, Title 3, Occupations Code, or
to supervise or control the practice of dentistry as prohibited by
Subtitle D, Title 3, Occupations Code.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2011.