Bill Text: TX SB1755 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to exceptions to mental health information disclosure prohibitions.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-25 - Referred to Health & Human Services [SB1755 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-SB1755-Introduced.html
  83R3419 AED-D
 
  By: Uresti S.B. No. 1755
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to exceptions to mental health information disclosure
  prohibitions.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 611.001, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Subdivision (3) to read as follows:
               (3)  "Mental health services provider" means an
  unlicensed individual who performs mental health services for a
  patient, including evaluation and coordination of services.
         SECTION 2.  Section 611.004, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  A professional may disclose confidential information
  only:
               (1)  to a governmental agency if the disclosure is
  required or authorized by law;
               (2)  to medical personnel, mental health services
  providers, or law enforcement personnel if the professional
  determines that there is a probability of imminent physical injury
  by the patient to the patient or others or there is a probability of
  immediate mental or emotional injury to the patient;
               (3)  to qualified personnel for management audits,
  financial audits, program evaluations, or research, in accordance
  with Subsection (b);
               (4)  to a person who has the written consent of the
  patient, or a parent if the patient is a minor, or a guardian if the
  patient has been adjudicated as incompetent to manage the patient's
  personal affairs;
               (5)  to the patient's personal representative if the
  patient is deceased;
               (6)  to individuals, corporations, or governmental
  agencies involved in paying or collecting fees for mental or
  emotional health services provided by a professional;
               (7)  to other professionals and personnel under the
  professionals' direction who participate in the diagnosis,
  evaluation, or treatment of the patient;
               (8)  in an official legislative inquiry relating to a
  state hospital or state school as provided by Subsection (c);
               (9)  to designated persons or personnel of a
  correctional facility in which a person is detained if the
  disclosure is for the sole purpose of providing treatment and
  health care to the person in custody;
               (10)  to an employee or agent of the professional who
  requires mental health care information to provide mental health
  care services or in complying with statutory, licensing, or
  accreditation requirements, if the professional has taken
  appropriate action to ensure that the employee or agent:
                     (A)  will not use or disclose the information for
  any other purposes; and
                     (B)  will take appropriate steps to protect the
  information; [or]
               (11)  to satisfy a request for medical records of a
  deceased or incompetent person pursuant to Section 74.051(e), Civil
  Practice and Remedies Code;
               (12)  to a mental health services provider if:
                     (A)  the information is nonmedical demographic
  information about a patient, including address, name, or phone
  number; and
                     (B)  the professional determines that the
  information is necessary for the mental health services provider to
  coordinate the provision of services to the patient; or
               (13)  to a person who is considered by the professional
  as willing and capable of contributing substantially to the
  patient's recovery, if the professional determines that disclosing
  the information will assist the person in making that contribution.
         (e)  A person described by Subsection (a)(2) who receives
  confidential information under that subsection is immune from civil
  or criminal liability from an action taken based on the information
  received if the action is taken in good faith.  If the person is a
  professional or a mental health services provider and the patient
  continues to receive regular treatment or services from the person,
  the person must attempt to obtain accurate medical or mental health
  records regarding the patient as necessary to provide treatment or
  services.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
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