LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session March 27, 2001 TO: Honorable Fred M. Bosse, Chair, House Committee on Civil Practices FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB3152 by Capelo (Relating to due process for physicians, dentists, and podiatrists in hospitals.), As Introduced ************************************************************************** * No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** Local Government Impact The bill would provide for a physician, podiatrist, or dentist who is damaged by a failure of a hospital to provide due process in considering applications for medical staff membership and privileges, renewal, modification, or revocation of privileges to bring a lawsuit against the hospital. Damages could include actual damages, reasonable court costs, attorney's fees, and other appropriate relief. If a county or a municipality owns or operates a hospital and is sued under the provisions of the bill, they would incur legal costs and the costs of any judgments awarded against them. The potential negative fiscal impact could be significant if the hospital is found not to have followed due process in its staffing decisions. Source Agencies: 501 Texas Department of Health LBB Staff: JK, TB, DB