SB 1608

relating to physical examination requirements for patients
admitted to an inpatient mental health facility.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 575, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 575.004 to read as follows:
Sec. 575.004.  IN-PERSON PHYSICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS.
The facility administrator of an inpatient mental health facility
shall ensure a physical examination or assessment of a patient
admitted to the facility that is required to be conducted on the
patient's admission is conducted in person.
SECTION 2.  Section 575.004, Health and Safety Code, as
added by this Act, applies only to the admission of a patient to an
inpatient mental health facility that occurs on or after the
effective date of this Act.  The admission of a patient to an
inpatient mental health facility that occurs before the effective
date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the
admission occurred, and the former law is continued in effect for
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.