BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 2725
By: Hirschi
April 4, 1995
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Wichita Falls State Hospital, in Wichita County, provides mental
health services to 52 counties in Texas.  Many of the patients in
this hospital are court committed. The Wichita County Criminal
District Attorney's office handles an average of 90 mental health
cases per month. 63% of these cases are for residents of counties
other than Wichita.

Other counties already reimburse Wichita County for filing fees,
service fees, and court-appointed attorney fees. Prosecutors fees,
however, are not reimbursed. Taxpayers of Wichita County,
therefore, effectively fund the trying of cases which benefit other
counties.

PURPOSE

This bill allows the Wichita County District Attorney's office to
be reimbursed for prosecuting mental health cases where the
proposed patient is a resident of a county other than Wichita.
Reimbursement would be not more than the rate for the court-
appointed attorney representing the patient for the same hearing.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1. Amends 44.343 (b) of the Texas Government Code by 
entitling the Wichita County criminal district attorney to be
reimbursed for prosecuting Chapter 574, Health and Safety Code
cases in which the patient is not from Wichita County.
Reimbursement shall be at the same rate for the court-appointed
attorney representing the patient for the same hearing.

Section 2. Effective Date

Section 3. Emergency Clause

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

HB 2725 was considered by the County Affairs Committee in a public
hearing on 3/29/95. Representative Hirschi opened. Barry Macha,
representing himself, testified in favor of HB 2725.
Representative Hirschi closed. HB 2725 was reported favorably with
the recommendation that it do pass and be printed and be sent to
the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars by the record vote of
8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 1 absent.