LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session May 17, 2001 TO: Honorable Bill Ratliff, Lieutenant Governor Honorable James E. "Pete" Laney, Speaker of the House FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: SB684 by Madla (Relating to the definition of non-physician mental health professional for purposes of a proceeding or evaluation under the Texas Mental Health Code.), Conference Committee Report ************************************************************************** * No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** This bill would allow the inclusion of licensed professional counselors and licensed marriage and family therapists to the list of non-physician mental health professionals found in Section 571.003(15) of the Health and Safety Code. These individuals may provide court testimony when involuntary status is under consideration by a judge. They also may perform an 'independent evaluation' at the request of any psychiatric inpatient. There would not be significant new costs associated with adding this category of professional to the list. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 655 TX Dept. of Mental Health & Mental Retardation LBB Staff: JK, HD, MB