LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 18, 2005

TO:	Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB1899 by Zaffirini (Relating to the regulation of chemical dependency counselors.), As Introduced

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1899, As Introduced: a positive impact of $1,886 through the biennium ending August 31, 2007.

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

General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2006	($9,692)
2007	$11,578
2008	$11,578
2009	$11,578
2010	$11,578

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Revenue Gain from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1	Probable (Cost) from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1	Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2005
2006	$50,000	($59,692)	1.0
2007	$50,000	($38,422)	1.0
2008	$50,000	($38,422)	1.0
2009	$50,000	($38,422)	1.0
2010	$50,000	($38,422)	1.0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would require the Department of State Health Services to approve peer assistance programs to assist licensed chemical dependency counselors whose ability to perform a professional service is impaired by abuse or dependency on drugs or alcohol, and to maintain a list of approved programs on the DSHS website.  DSHS would be permitted to issue or renew the license of a person convicted or placed on community supervision for drug or alcohol related offenses if the person has completed participation in a peer assistance program, or if DSHS waives the requirement.  

DSHS would be required to include a designation of any other credential held by the license holder that is approved by the International Certification Reciprocity Consortium and for which the license holder provides a current certificate issued by the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals. 

The bill would require supervised work experience to be obtained at a registered clinical training institution or under the supervision of a certified clinical supervisor.

Methodology

DSHS indicates that administrative support personnel would be needed to implement the activities related to initial and ongoing evaluation and verification of credential designations, and to implement ongoing activities related to the new peer assistance program.  1 FTE is included in the cost estimate, using a phase-in of 75% for fiscal year 2006.  The costs associated with salary, benefits, computer hardware and other operating expenses would be $34,692 in fiscal year 2006 and $38,422 each year thereafter.

DSHS estimates biennial renewal fees would be increased from $100 to $120, for a revenue increase of $50,000 annually.

Technology

DSHS indicates modifications to the database system would be necessary to maintain a list of peer assistance programs, track participation in peer assistance programs, and include the designation of credentials for license holders.  A one-time technology cost for contract programming is included at a cost of $25,000 in fiscal year 2006.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

537 Department of State Health Services

LBB Staff:

JOB, CL, KF, BW