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