(a) A resident of this state who has tuberculosis may be admitted to a public health hospital. A person who is not a resident of this state and who has tuberculosis may be admitted to a public health hospital in accordance with Section 13.046.
(b) The hospital shall review applications for admission and admit or deny admission to applicants.
(c) An application for admission to a public health hospital shall be accompanied by a certificate issued by a physician stating that the physician has thoroughly examined the applicant and that the applicant has tuberculosis. In the case of an applicant who is not a resident of this state, the certificate may be issued by a physician who holds a license to practice medicine in the state of residence of the applicant.
(d) In the case of an indigent applicant, the certificate may be issued by the local health authority.
(e) The department shall prescribe the form and content of the certificate.
(f) If the applicant has a communicable disease other than tuberculosis, the hospital administrator may delay the admission until the other disease is no longer contagious.