| TO: | Honorable Dianne White Delisi, Chair, House Committee on Public Health |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB224 by Corte (Relating to the treatment of certain persons younger than 18 years of age admitted for voluntary inpatient mental health services and discharge from that treatment for those persons.), As Introduced |
The bill would modify Section 572.004 of the Health and Safety Code, which relates to adolescent discharge procedures for local mental health facilities. The bill would require facilities to consult with the parent, managing conservator or guardian of a patient younger than 18 years of age regarding the patient's written request for discharge. If the parent, conservator or guardian objects in writing to the discharge, the facility must continue treatment of the patient.
The bill would also amend Section 576.025 of the Health and Safety Code, providing circumstances under which a patient younger than 18 years of age, who refuses psychoactive medications, may be administered the medications.
The Department of State Health Services states that the bill clarifies adolescent discharge procedures and has no fiscal impact to the Department.
The bill would take effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house. If it does not receive the votes necessary for immediate effect, the bill would take effect September 1, 2005.
| Source Agencies: | 537 Department of State Health Services
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, CL, PP, MB
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