LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session
March 25, 1999
TO: Honorable Patricia Gray, Chair, House Committee on Public
Health
FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB1371 by Burnam (Relating to the penalty for disclosing
a person's HIV status.), As Introduced
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* No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. *
* *
* The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal *
* basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of *
* the bill. *
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The bill relates to the penalty for disclosing a person's human
immunodeficiency virus status. This bill would increase the civil penalty
for negligently releasing or disclosing a test result to not more than
$5,000. The bill would increase the civil penalty for willfully
releasing or disclosing a test result to not less than $5,000, nor more
than $10,000. The changes in the law apply only to a violation that
occurs on or after the effective date of the Act.
The revision to the law is only an increase of the existing civil
penalties. The Texas Department as well as local health departments may
receive subpoenas for information in the event of a law suit. However,
procedures for responding to such requests are already in place and
would not require change. An increase in law suits or requests for
information as a result of this bill is not anticipated.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is
anticipated.
Source Agencies:
LBB Staff: JK, TP