SB53 - Relating to certain notice and filing requirements in court proceedings involving persons with mental illness.

      S.B. No. 53         AN ACT   relating to certain notice and filing requirements in court   proceedings involving persons with mental illness.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 571.013, Health and Safety Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 571.013.  METHOD OF GIVING NOTICE. Except as otherwise   provided by this subtitle, notice required under this subtitle may   be given :                 (1)   by personal delivery of [ delivering ] a copy of the   notice or document by a constable or sheriff of the county; [ in   person ] or                 (2)   in another manner directed by the court that is   reasonably calculated to give actual notice.          SECTION 2.  Section 571.014(c), Health and Safety Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (c)  A person may [ initially ] file a paper with the county   clerk by the use of reproduced, photocopied, or electronically   transmitted paper copies of [ if the person files ] the original   signed copies of the paper . A person who files a reproduced,   photocopied, or electronically transmitted paper must maintain   possession of the original signed copies of the paper and on request   shall make the original paper available for inspection by the   parties or the court [ 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 ].          SECTION 3.  Section 571.014(d), Health and Safety Code, is   repealed.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.               ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 53 passed the Senate on   April 10, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 53 passed the House on   May 24, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 136, Nays 0, two   present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor