SRC-JEC, S.B. 581 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 581
2001S0425/1By: Duncan
Intergovernmental Relations
2/27/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, eight state mental hospitals serve the entire state.  Preparing
and conducting court-ordered mental health hearings regarding hospital
patients requires work and funds from the county in which the hospital is
located.  Usually,  that county is reimbursed by the county of residence of
the patient for statutory and document preparation fees.  As proposed, S.B.
581 codifies the authorization of the hearing county to charge the county
of residence for certain costs. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly 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, to authorize a
county in which a state mental hospital is located, if it has incurred
costs in the preparation of documents related to mental health proceedings
for a patient or proposed patient in connection with treatment at the state
mental hospital, to charge the county of residence of the patient or
proposed patient for those costs. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.