Relating to a quality assurance audit of the provision of health care to inmates by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

HB 5349 requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to conduct an independent, third-party audit of health care provided to inmates every five years. The audit must assess medical, behavioral, and mental health services, ensure compliance with health care laws, evaluate vendor performance, and compare TDCJ practices against national correctional health care standards. TDCJ must publicly post each audit report on its website and hold a public meeting to review the findings. This bill directly affects inmates by mandating regular, independent reviews of their health care access and quality, with the first audit due by December 1, 2026. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote.