LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 22, 2003

TO:	Honorable Jaime Capelo, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB21 by Corte (Relating to admission to and discharge from facilities for voluntary inpatient mental health services for persons younger than 18 years of age.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend provisions in the Health and Safety Code that currently allow minors who are 16 or 17 years of age to admit themselves to state mental health facilities for voluntary inpatient care without their parents' consent.  The bill would require minors of any age to be voluntarily admitted only with the consent of the parent, guardian or managing conservator.  The bill would prohibit the release of a voluntary admission minor, if the person who provided the consent objects, in writing, to the minor’s release.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:	655 Department Of Mental Health And Mental Retardation
LBB Staff:	JK, EB, KF, MB