LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session March 15, 2001 TO: Honorable Patricia Gray, Chair, House Committee on Public Health FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB288 by Maxey (Relating to authorizing harm reduction programs to reduce the risk of HIV infection, AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted ************************************************************************** * No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** According to the Department of Health, any resources needed to implement the provisions of the bill could be absorbed by the agency's budget. Local Government Impact The bill would allow local health authorities to establish harm reduction programs. Local health authorities opting to establish harm reduction programs could experience costs associated with the supplies, such as providing needles and syringes free of charge, and staff required to distribute supplies and provide services, such as offering education on the transmission of certain disease and referral to drug treatment and other health services. In some cases, a portion of the cost could be recovered using federal funds or private grant proceeds. Source Agencies: 501 Texas Department of Health LBB Staff: JK, HD, RM