By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1912               A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to procedures in mental health cases.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 571.013, Health and Safety Code, is   amended as follows:          Section 571.013. METHOD OF GIVING NOTICE. Except as   otherwise provided by this subtitle, notice required under this   subtitle may be given by a constable or sheriff delivering a copy of   the notice or document in person or in another manner directed by   the court that is reasonably calculated to give actual notice.          SECTION 2.Section 571.014, Health and Safety Code, is amended   as follows:          Sec. 571.014.  FILING REQUIREMENTS. (a) Each application,   petition, certificate, or other paper permitted or required to be   filed in a probate court or court having probate jurisdiction under   this subtitle must be filed with the county clerk of the proper   county.          (b)  The county clerk shall file each paper after endorsing   on it:                (1)  the date on which the paper is filed;                (2)  the docket number; and                (3)  the clerk's official signature.          (c)  A person may initially file a paper with the county   clerk by the use of reproduced, photocopied, or electronically   transmitted paper if the person files the original signed copies of   the paper with the clerk not later than the 72nd hour after the hour   on which the initial filing is made. If the 72-hour period ends on a   Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the filing period is extended   until 4 p.m. on the first succeeding business day. If extremely   hazardous weather conditions exist or a disaster occurs, the   presiding judge or magistrate may by written order made each day   extend the filing period until 4 p.m. on the first succeeding   business day. The written order must declare that an emergency   exists because of the weather or the occurrence of a disaster. If a   person detained under this subtitle would otherwise be released   because the original signed copy of a paper is not filed within the   72-hour period but for the extension of the filing period under this   section, the person may be detained until the expiration of the   extended filing period. This subsection does not affect another   provision of this subtitle requiring the release or discharge of a   person. If the paper is filed by the use of reproduced,   photocopied, or electronically transmitted paper, the person shall   maintain the original paper and shall provide it to the parties or   the court upon request.          (d)     If the clerk does not receive the original signed copy   of a paper within the period prescribed by this section, the judge   may dismiss the proceeding on the court's own motion or on the   motion of a party and, if the proceeding is dismissed, shall order   the immediate release of a proposed patient who is not at liberty.          SECTION 3.  Section 571.017, Health and Safety Code, is   amended as follows:                Section 571.017. COMPENSATION OF COURT-APPOINTED   PERSONNEL. REPRESENTATION OF PROPOSED PATIENT. (a) The court   shall order the payment of reasonable compensation to attorneys,   physicians, language interpreters, sign interpreters, and   associate judges appointed under this subtitle. The court shall   appoint a private attorney or public defender to represent a   proposed patient under any proceeding under this subtitle.          (b)  The compensation shall be taxed as costs in the case. A   court may with permission of the commissioners court create a   mental health public defenders office. A mental health public   defender of such office may be appointed by the court in lieu of a   private attorney.          SECTION 4.  A new Section 571.0175, Health and Safety Code,   is added as follows:                Section 571.0175. COMPENSATION OF COURT-APPOINTED   PERSONNEL. (a) The court shall order the payment of reasonable   compensation to attorneys, physicians, language interpreters, sign   interpreters, and associate judges appointed under this subtitle.          (b)  The compensation shall be taxed as costs in the case.          SECTION 5.  Section 574.010, Health and Safety Code, is   amended as follows:          Section 574.010. INDEPENDENT PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION AND   EXPERT TESTIMONY. (a) The court may order an independent   evaluation of the proposed patient by a psychiatrist chose by the   proposed patient if the court determines that the evaluation will   assist the finder of fact. The psychiatrist may testify on behalf of   the proposed patient. (b) If the court determines that that the   proposed patient is indigent, the court may authorize reimbursement   to the attorney ad litem for court-approved expenses incurred in   obtaining expert testimony and may order the proposed patient's   county of residence to pay the expenses.          SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.