Bill > HB5349

This bill requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to commission an independent third-party quality assurance audit of its correctional health care system every five years. The audit must comprehensively assess the department's delivery of medical, behavioral, and mental health care services, evaluate compliance with state and federal laws, review the performance of healthcare vendors, and compare the department's healthcare practices to industry best practices and national correctional health care standards. The audit must also provide specific recommendations for addressing any identified deficiencies. The department is required to publicly post the audit report on its website, and the board must hold a public meeting to consider the report, potentially requesting the auditor to present the audit results. The first such audit must be completed by December 1, 2026, and the bill takes effect either immediately with a two-thirds vote in the legislature or on September 1, 2025, if immediate approval is not achieved. This legislation aims to improve transparency and quality of healthcare services provided to inmates in Texas correctional facilities.

Justice

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB5349