S.B. No. 1146
AN ACT
relating to the medical transportation and care for certain inmates
in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 501, Government Code, is
amended by adding Sections 501.0515 and 501.071 to read as follows:
Sec. 501.0515. PROCEDURES FOR TRANSPORTATION OF FEMALE
INMATES FOR MEDICAL CARE. The department shall establish
procedures to be used during the regularly scheduled transportation
of female inmates for nonemergency medical care to The University
of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston or another medical facility
that provides medical services for inmates. The procedures must
ensure that:
(1) any searches conducted are performed in an area
and manner that conforms with the requirements of the Prison Rape
Elimination Act of 2003 (34 U.S.C. Section 30301 et seq.) and any
regulation adopted under that Act;
(2) buses used to transport female inmates are
equipped with bathrooms and have an adequate supply of toilet paper
and feminine hygiene products as defined by Section 501.0675 for
the inmates being transported;
(3) female inmates receive sufficient food and
nutrition in accordance with medical or nutritional standards as
determined by the department; and
(4) facilities used to house female inmates overnight
while being transported have an adequate number of beds for the
inmates being transported.
Sec. 501.071. ACCESS TO TELEMEDICINE AND TELEHEALTH
SERVICES AND ON-SITE MEDICAL CARE. The department, in conjunction
with The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and the
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, shall establish
procedures to increase opportunities and expand access to
telemedicine medical services and telehealth services, as those
terms are defined by Section 111.001, Occupations Code, and on-site
medical care for inmates, including on-site mobile care units that
provide diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, and other
appropriate mobile health services.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2023, the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice shall establish the procedures
required by Sections 501.0515 and 501.071, Government Code, as
added by this Act.
SECTION 3. Not later than December 1, 2024, the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice shall submit a report to the
legislature on the department's progress in increasing
opportunities and expanding access to telemedicine medical
services and telehealth services and on-site medical care for
inmates under Section 501.071, Government Code, as added by this
Act, including a summary of the procedures established under that
section and the number of inmates who received services or care
under those procedures.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1146 passed the Senate on
May 8, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1146 passed the House on
May 24, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 121, Nays 17,
one present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor