Bill > HB3937

This bill requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to establish new medical care policies for inmates with life-threatening conditions. Specifically, the bill defines "life-threatening condition" as a serious medical condition that could result in death without ongoing direct physician care, and provides a list of specific conditions such as viral encephalitis, schizophrenia, brain tumors, stroke, and cardiac arrest. The bill mandates that TDCJ adopt a policy ensuring inmates with these conditions receive continuous care from a physician in the relevant medical specialty. Additionally, the policy must strictly prohibit two key actions: transferring an inmate with a life-threatening condition to a non-physician medical professional without the treating physician's written authorization, and allowing non-physician medical professionals to change treatment plans or prescription medications established by the inmate's treating physician. The provisions are designed to enhance medical oversight and protect the health of inmates with critical medical conditions, with the new regulations set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Justice

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3937