Sec. 532.0131. FORENSIC WORK GROUP. (a) In this section, "forensic patient" and "forensic services" have the meanings assigned by Section 532.013.
(b) The commissioner shall establish a work group of experts and stakeholders to make recommendations concerning the creation of a comprehensive plan for the effective coordination of forensic services.
(c) The work group must have not fewer than nine members, with the commissioner selecting the total number of members at the time the commissioner establishes the work group.
(d) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall appoint as members of the work group:
(1) a representative of the department;
(2) a representative of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;
(3) a representative of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department;
(4) a representative of the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments;
(5) a representative of the Sheriff's Association of Texas;
(6) a superintendent of a state hospital with a maximum security forensic unit;
(7) a representative of a local mental health authority;
(8) a representative of the protection and advocacy system of this state established in accordance with 42 U.S.C. Section 15043, appointed by the administrative head of that system; and
(9) additional members as needed to comply with the number of members selected by the commissioner, who must be recognized experts in forensic patients or persons who represent the interests of forensic patients, and who may be advocates, family members, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, or representatives of hospitals licensed under Chapter 241 or 577.
(e) In developing recommendations, the work group may use information compiled by other work groups in the state, especially work groups for which the focus is mental health issues.
(f) Not later than July 1, 2016, the work group established under this section shall send a report describing the work group's recommendations to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the standing committees of the senate and the house of representatives with primary jurisdiction over forensic services.
(g) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.
(h) The work group established under this section is dissolved and this section expires November 1, 2019.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 207 (S.B. 1507), Sec. 1, eff. May 28, 2015.
Section: Previous 532.001 532.002 532.003 532.004 532.013Last modified: September 28, 2016