John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB805 by Martinez (Relating to allowing certain emergency and hospital personnel to take the thumbprint of certain people who receive emergency prehospital care.), As Engrossed
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would authorize emergency medical services personnel or emergency room medical or admissions personnel to take the thumbprint of a person who receives emergency prehospital care under certain circumstances, such as if the hospital has digital fingerprinting capabilities. The bill would take effect September 1, 2005.
Local Government Impact
If an emergency medical service or hospital is owned or operated by a local government entity, has digital fingerprinting capabilities, and were to choose to take a thumbprint of persons meeting the criteria of the bill, the entity would incur costs associated with processing the prints for determining a person's identity. Those costs are not expected to have a significant fiscal impact. If a local government owned or operated hospital were to purchase digital fingerprinting equipment, the Department of Public Safety indicates the cost, depending on specifications of the equipment sought, averages about $12,000 per unit.
Source Agencies:
405 Department of Public Safety, 529 Health and Human Services Commission