86R1245 JG-D
By: Perry S.B. No. 174
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certain duties of a sheriff regarding a county jail
prisoner's health benefits coverage information.
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 HEALTH CARE SERVICES. (a) The commission
shall adopt procedures by which a sheriff may collect the following
from a prisoner who 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) The commission by rule shall require a sheriff to
collect the information and documentation described by Subsection
(a) for any prisoner in the sheriff's jurisdiction who is confined
in a county jail capable of confining 800 or more prisoners.
(c) A sheriff who arranges for health care services to be
provided to a prisoner for whom the sheriff has obtained health
insurance or other health benefits coverage information under this
section may:
(1) provide the information to a health care provider
or health care facility providing the services to the prisoner; and
(2) arrange for the issuer of the health insurance
policy or other health benefits coverage to pay for the services.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.