1. (a) The department shall establish a system to identify inmates with mental illness who are nearing eligibility for release on parole.
2. (b) Not later than the 30th day before the initial parole eligibility date of an inmate identified as having a mental illness, an institutional division psychiatrist shall examine the inmate. The psychiatrist shall file a sworn application for court-ordered temporary mental health services under Chapter 574, Health and Safety Code, if the psychiatrist determines that the inmate has a mental illness and as a result of the illness the inmate meets at least one of the criteria listed in Section 574.034 or 574.0345, Health and Safety Code.
3. (c) The psychiatrist shall include with the application a sworn certificate of medical examination for mental illness in the form prescribed by Section 574.011, Health and Safety Code.
4. (d) The institutional division is liable for costs incurred for a hearing under Chapter 574, Health and Safety Code, that follows an application filed by a division psychiatrist under this section.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 212, Sec. 2.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Renumbered from Sec. 500.057 and amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, Sec. 10.01(a), eff. Aug. 26, 1991.

Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 321, Sec. 1.092, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 582 (S.B. 362), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2019.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1022 (S.B. 2405), Sec. 55, eff. September 1, 2025.