LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 24, 2003

TO:	Honorable Helen Giddings, Chair, House Committee on Business & Industry
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1860 by Bohac (Relating to certain diseases, illnesses, and exposures suffered by certain public safety employees.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Government Code by making public safety employees eligible for reimbusement from the employing governmental entity for reasonable medical expense incurred in receiving preventative medical treatment because of exposure to disease or hazardous materials.  Costs to implement the bill would depend on the frequency, type, and scale of exposure to hazardous materials.  It is assumed that this bill would not significantly affect the fiscal operations of state government. 

Local Government Impact

Costs to implement the bill would depend on the type and scale of exposure to hazardous materials. Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS) reported that they had a total of seven exposures to hazardous materials in fiscal year 2002. Historically, ATCEMS has experienced ten hazardous material exposures in as many years. ATCEMS has also provided treatment to family members for contagious disease exposures twice in ten years.

Source Agencies:	696 Department of Criminal Justice
LBB Staff:	JK, JRO, GG, KG