SRC-JXG S.B. 153 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 153
By: Harris
Jurisprudence
7/12/1999
Enrolled


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law requires a county to pay the court costs for
involuntary mental health commitments. A county is authorized to seek
reimbursement only from patients or persons responsible for a patient's
estate. A number of counties charge court costs to a mental health facility
designated to provide court-ordered mental health services. S.B. 153 will
require a judge to order the clerk of the court to refund the costs when an
inpatient mental health facility files an affidavit with the clerk
certifying that it has received no compensation or reimbursement for the
treatment of a person for whom court costs have been paid or advanced. 

PURPOSE

As enrolled, S.B. 153 relates to the payment of costs in a proceeding for
court-ordered mental health services. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 571.018, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Subsection (j), to require the judge of the probate court to order the
clerk of the court to refund the costs, when an inpatient mental health
facility as defined under Section 571.003(9)(B) or (E) files an affidavit
with the clerk of the court certifying that it has received no compensation
or reimbursement for the treatment of a person for whom court costs have
been paid or advanced. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.