87R1079 GCB-D     By: Sherman, Sr. H.B. No. 1640       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a medication-assisted treatment program established by   the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for inmates with opioid   use disorders.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 501, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 501.071 to read as follows:          Sec. 501.071.  MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT PROGRAM.  (a)   In this section, "medication-assisted treatment" means the use of   medications approved by the United States Food and Drug   Administration for the treatment of opioid dependence, in   combination with counseling and behavioral therapies effective for   the treatment of opioid use disorders.          (b)  The department shall establish a medication-assisted   treatment program under which:                (1)  each inmate is assessed, during the diagnostic   process, for an opioid use disorder; and                (2)  an inmate determined to have an opioid use   disorder is provided with the opportunity to receive   medication-assisted treatment.          (c)  Medication-assisted treatment provided under the   program must be tailored to each individual inmate based on   clinical criteria.          (d)  The program must provide for continuity of care by   ensuring that, as applicable:                (1)  an inmate who is being treated with a medication   approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the   treatment of opioid dependence when the inmate enters custody of   the department is maintained on that medication under the program;   and                (2)  on the release or discharge of an inmate receiving   a medication approved by the United States Food and Drug   Administration for the treatment of opioid dependence under the   program, the inmate is provided with a sufficient supply of the   medication during the inmate's transition to community treatment   for opioid use disorders.          (e)  The program must provide an inmate receiving   medication-assisted treatment while confined with information   about available community treatment for opioid use disorders before   the inmate's release or discharge.          (f)  The department may contract with a medication-assisted   treatment provider to administer all or part of the program   established under this section.          SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, but not later than December 1, 2021, the Texas   Department of Criminal Justice shall establish the program required   by Section 501.071, Government Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.