Bill: SB 1129, 84(R) - 2015

Committee

Senate Health & Human Services

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Yes Neutral Neutral Positive Neutral Positive

Author(s)

Judith Zaffirini

Bill Caption

Relating to the transportation of a person with a mental illness.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State or units of local government is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

The bill would amend Chapter 574 of the Health and Safety Code by requiring that if a patient with a mental illness is restrained during transportation to a state hospital, the Department of State Health Services shall ensure the method of restraint permits the patient to sit in an upright position without undue difficulty, except in cases where the patient is transported by an ambulance. 

The second chamber sponsor is Representative Raymond.

Vote Recommendation Notes

5/21/2015 update:

No changes have been made to this bill in House committee. 

Recommendation:

Specifying the appropriate method of restraint during the transport of a patient to a mental health facility would safeguard an individual's health, safety, and comfort. Under certain circumstances where a patient is restrained and transported against their will, that is by nature a coercive act of government against the individual. So long as the government is exercising coercive power to restrain a person en route to a mental health facility, the government should do so with the greatest level of care.

We support SB 1129 because it promotes our individual liberty and personal responsibility principles.


Source URL (retrieved on 03/29/2024 10:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/84r/sb1129?print_view=true