1. (a) Each sheriff/operator shall develop and implement a mental disabilities/suicide prevention plan, in coordination with available medical and mental health officials, approved by the commission by March 31, 1997. The plan shall address the following principles and procedures:

   1. (1) Training. Provisions for staff training (including frequency and duration) on the procedures for recognition, supervision, documentation, and handling of inmates who are mentally disabled and/or potentially suicidal. Supplemental training should be provided to those staff members responsible for intake screening;
   2. (2) Identification. Procedures for intake screening to identify inmates who are mentally disabled and/or potentially suicidal and procedures for referrals to available mental health officials;
   3. (3) Communication. Procedures for communication of information relating to inmates who are mentally disabled and/or potentially suicidal
   4. (4) Housing. Procedures for the assignment of inmates who are mentally disabled and/or potentially suicidal to appropriate housing;
   5. (5) Supervision. Provisions for adequate supervision of inmates who are mentally disabled and/or potentially suicidal and procedures for documenting supervision;
   6. (6) Intervention and Emergency Treatment. Procedures for staff intervention prior to the occurrence of a suicide and during the progress of a suicide attempt, or serious deterioration of mental condition;
   7. (7) Reporting. Procedures for reporting of completed suicides to appropriate outside authorities and family members; and
   8. (8) Follow-Up Review. Procedures for follow-up review of policies by the sheriff/operator and mental health and medical officials following all attempted or completed suicides.
2. (b) Screening Instrument. An approved mental disabilities/suicide prevention screening instrument shall be completed immediately on all inmates admitted.

Source Note:The provisions of this §273.5 adopted to be effective December 20, 1994, 19 TexReg 9650; amended to be effective October 23, 1996, 21 TexReg 10439; amended to be effective December 22, 1999, 24 TexReg 11519.