H.B. No. 4085
AN ACT
relating to the payment by the state or a county of costs for
certain mental health hearings or proceedings.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 571.018(h) and (j), Health and Safety
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(h) The state or a county may not pay any costs for a patient
committed to a private mental hospital, other than a filing fee or
other cost associated with a hearing or proceeding under this
subtitle, unless:
(1) a public facility is not available; and
(2) the commissioners court of the county authorizes
the payment, if appropriate.
(j) The judge of a court conducting a hearing or proceeding
under this subtitle shall order the clerk of the court to refund
court costs paid or advanced for a person by [When] an inpatient
mental health facility as defined under Section 571.003(9)(A), (B),
(D), or (E) on the filing of [571.003(9)(B) or (E) files] an
affidavit with the clerk of the court certifying that:
(1) the facility has received no compensation or
reimbursement for the treatment of the person;
(2) the facility provided treatment for the person
under a contract with a local mental health authority; or
(3) the facility provided treatment for the person and
only received reimbursement under Medicaid [it has received no
compensation or reimbursement for the treatment of a person for
whom court costs have been paid or advanced, the judge of the
probate court shall order the clerk of the court to refund the
costs].
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 4085 was passed by the House on May 3,
2023, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 4085 was passed by the Senate on May
21, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor