S.B. No. 1164 amends the Health and Safety Code to improve the emergency detention procedures for individuals showing signs of mental illness. The bill allows peace officers to detain individuals without a warrant if they believe the person poses a substantial risk of serious harm to themselves or others due to mental illness. The criteria for assessing this risk have been broadened to include severe emotional distress, deterioration in mental condition, and an inability to recognize symptoms or understand the risks and benefits of treatment. Additionally, peace officers are required to file a notification of emergency detention with the facility immediately after transporting the individual, detailing the reasons for the detention.

The bill also modifies the notification process to ensure it includes specific statements about the individual's mental state and behaviors leading to the detention. It clarifies that peace officers and emergency medical services personnel are not obligated to remain at the facility during the individual's treatment or screening. Furthermore, mental health facilities are prohibited from imposing additional requirements beyond the specified notification form for accepting detained individuals. Key changes include the requirement for a physician's written statement confirming that a person with mental illness presents a substantial risk of harm and has an inability to recognize symptoms or appreciate treatment risks. The bill mandates a comprehensive evaluation of patients within 24 hours of detention and repeals outdated sections of the Health and Safety Code, with the new provisions effective from September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 573.001, Health and Safety Code 573.002, Health and Safety Code 573.003, Health and Safety Code 573.012, Health and Safety Code 573.022, Health and Safety Code 574.001, Health and Safety Code 574.011, Health and Safety Code 574.022, Health and Safety Code 574.034, Health and Safety Code 574.035 (Health and Safety Code 574, Health and Safety Code 573)
Senate Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 573.001, Health and Safety Code 573.002, Health and Safety Code 573.003, Health and Safety Code 573.012, Health and Safety Code 573.022, Health and Safety Code 574.001, Health and Safety Code 574.011, Health and Safety Code 574.034, Health and Safety Code 574.035 (Health and Safety Code 574, Health and Safety Code 573)
Engrossed: Health and Safety Code 573.001, Health and Safety Code 573.002, Health and Safety Code 573.003, Health and Safety Code 573.012, Health and Safety Code 573.022, Health and Safety Code 574.001, Health and Safety Code 574.011, Health and Safety Code 574.034, Health and Safety Code 574.035 (Health and Safety Code 574, Health and Safety Code 573)
House Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 573.001, Health and Safety Code 573.002, Health and Safety Code 573.003, Health and Safety Code 573.012, Health and Safety Code 573.022, Health and Safety Code 574.001, Health and Safety Code 574.011, Health and Safety Code 574.034, Health and Safety Code 574.035 (Health and Safety Code 574, Health and Safety Code 573)
Enrolled: Health and Safety Code 573.001, Health and Safety Code 573.002, Health and Safety Code 573.003, Health and Safety Code 573.012, Health and Safety Code 573.022, Health and Safety Code 574.001, Health and Safety Code 574.011, Health and Safety Code 574.034, Health and Safety Code 574.035 (Health and Safety Code 574, Health and Safety Code 573)