H.B. No. 4559
AN ACT
relating to access to a county jail prisoner's health benefits
coverage information for mental health service providers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 511, Government Code, is amended by
adding Section 511.0098 to read as follows:
Sec. 511.0098. PRISONER HEALTH BENEFITS COVERAGE
INFORMATION; PAYMENT FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. (a) The
commission shall adopt procedures by which a local mental health
authority or other mental health services provider providing
services to a prisoner in a county jail under a contract with the
county may collect the following from a prisoner who receives those
services and is covered by health insurance or other health
benefits coverage:
(1) the name of the policyholder or group contract
holder;
(2) the number of the policy or evidence of coverage;
(3) a copy of the health coverage membership card, if
available; and
(4) any other information necessary for the prisoner
to obtain benefits under the coverage.
(b) A local mental health authority or other mental health
services provider who provides mental health services to a prisoner
under a contract with a county may arrange for the issuer of the
health insurance policy or other health benefits coverage to pay
for those services.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 4559 was passed by the House on May 3,
2019, by the following vote: Yeas 134, Nays 6, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 4559 was passed by the Senate on May
22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor