HBA-DMH H.B. 2004 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2004 By: Maxey Public Health 3/6/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE On release from an inpatient facility, Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation clients are provided with an initial outpatient appointment to a community mental health center and supplied with medication adequate to last until that appointment. At times, the patient arrives at the initial outpatient appointment to find the appointment is with a social worker or another individual unable to issue a prescription. A debate can occur between the releasing facility and the outpatient facility responsible for the patient as to which is fiscally responsible for providing the additional necessary medication. House Bill 2004 requires the discharging physician to ensure the patient has the necessary medication until the patient's initial outpatient appointment with a physician. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 2004 amends the Health and Safety Code to specify that a patient's continuing care plan must address the patient's mental health and physical needs, including the need for sufficient medication on furlough or discharge from court-ordered mental health services to last until the patient can see a physician. The bill requires the physician responsible for the patient's treatment to ensure that the patient receives on furlough or discharge the necessary medication, if appropriate. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.