LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
Revision 2
 
March 25, 2003

TO:
Honorable Bill Ratliff, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
 
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB116 by Van de Putte (Relating to health benefit plan coverage for certain mental disorders in children.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB116, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($4,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2005.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2004 ($4,000)
2005 $0
2006 $0
2007 $0
2008 $0




Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1
2004 ($4,000)
2005 $0
2006 $0
2007 $0
2008 $0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would require a health benefit plan to provide coverage for an enrollee who is a child for the diagnosis and treatment of a mental disorder. 

The bill would require the Sunset Advisory Commission to conduct a study, on or before September 1, 2008, of the extent of use and the impact on the cost of health benefit plans of coverage for certain mental disorders in children and report the findings to the legislature on or before January 1, 2009.  This analysis assumes the study would be completed in fiscal 2004. 

The bill would take effect September 1, 2003, and applies only to a health benefit plan delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2004.


Methodology

The Texas Department of Insurance estimates that there would be no fiscal impact to their agency.

 

The Sunset Advisory Commission estimates the study would require the equivalent of one-month effort by a Policy Analyst II (Salary Group B9).  The Commission estimates salary and associated cost for this effort would be approximately $4,000 and could be absorbed within current resources.


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
116 Sunset Advisory Commission, 454 Department of Insurance
LBB Staff:
JK, RR, RT, RB