LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session March 7, 2001 TO: Honorable Patricia Gray, Chair, House Committee on Public Health FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB1239 by Wilson (Relating to retention requirements for and access to blood specimens taken for newborn screenings; providing a criminal penalty.), As Introduced ************************************************************************** * Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for * * HB1239, As Introduced: negative impact of $(893,771) through the * * biennium ending August 31, 2003. * * * * The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal * * basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of * * the bill. * ************************************************************************** General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact: **************************************************** * Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) * * Impact to General Revenue Related * * Funds * * 2002 $(399,876) * * 2003 (493,895) * * 2004 (527,016) * * 2005 (598,764) * * 2006 (628,004) * **************************************************** All Funds, Five-Year Impact: *************************************************************************** *Fiscal Probable (Cost) from General Change in Number of State * * Year Revenue Fund Employees from FY 2001 * * 0001 * * 2002 $(399,876) 11.0 * * 2003 (493,895) 11.0 * * 2004 (527,016) 11.0 * * 2005 (598,764) 12.0 * * 2006 (628,004) 12.0 * *************************************************************************** Technology Impact Three personal computers, a printer, office automation software, network interface devices, and cabling, estimated to cost $7,500. It is estimated software and interface development will cost about $25,000. TDH also estimates an annual maintenance contract would cost $3,500, and will be needed to ensure ongoing compatibility between the inventory system and the newborn lab systems. Fiscal Analysis The bill would require the Department of Health (TDH) to retain, in a secure location, all blood specimens taken for newborn screening tests. The bill prohibits TDH from allowing a person to access a blood specimen after the newborn screening test has been performed, unless directed by a court order. TDH would be required to adopt rules to implement the provisions of the bill. The bill would take effect January 1, 2002. Methodology The number of births in Texas in 1998 was 342,199. Each newborn is tested twice, which results in two specimens per birth. It is assumed the birth rate will increase by 3% each year. One-time startup costs totaling $90,910 would include office furniture, and computer equipment and technology costs noted above. Costs to shelter the refrigerated containers are undetermined and are not estimated. On-going costs would include 11 FTEs in FYs 2002-04, and 12 FTEs in subsequent years, rental costs for refrigeration units, storage supplies, electrical power, office supplies, and technology maintenance. Because the effective date of the bill is January 1, 2002, estimates for FY 2002 are based on an eight month period. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 501 Texas Department of Health LBB Staff: JK, HD, RM