Senate Bill No. 1608 amends the Health and Safety Code by adding new sections that establish specific requirements for physical examinations of patients admitted to inpatient mental health facilities. Under the new Section 575.004, a physical examination or assessment must be conducted in person upon a patient's admission, unless a disaster declaration is in effect, in which case telemedicine services may be utilized. Additionally, Section 575.005 specifies that for facilities located in counties with populations under 200,000, the physical examination must occur within 48 hours of the patient's admission.

The bill clarifies that these new requirements will apply only to admissions occurring on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Admissions prior to this date will continue to be governed by the existing laws. This legislation aims to ensure timely and appropriate medical assessments for patients in mental health facilities, while also providing flexibility in emergency situations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()
Senate Committee Report: ()
Engrossed: ()