Bill > HB2854

This bill, named the Pokuaa-Flowers Act, establishes new requirements for parolees convicted of certain serious offenses regarding hospital visits. Specifically, the bill mandates that parolees serving sentences for specified criminal offenses must obtain prior approval from their parole officer before visiting a general hospital for non-medical treatment purposes. The parolee must submit a request detailing the date, time, and reason for the visit. When a parole officer approves a visit, they must promptly notify the hospital's chief law enforcement officer or local law enforcement agency using a state-maintained electronic database with contact information. The Department of State Health Services is required to create and annually update this database. The bill also provides liability protections for the parole department and hospitals, stating they are not liable for damages resulting from such visits unless there is gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. The new provisions will apply only to individuals released on parole or mandatory supervision on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025, with previous releasees continuing to be governed by the law in effect at their time of release.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB2854