Honorable Jeff Wentworth, Chair, Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB778 by Harris (Relating to the use of an electronic broadcast system to conduct certain hearings regarding court-ordered mental health services.), As Introduced
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to authorize a court to conduct certain hearings regarding court-ordered mental health services using an electronic broadcast system if certain conditions are met. If a hearing is conducted using an electronic broadcase system, the court would be required to provide for a recording to be made of the hearing and preserved until any appellate proceedings have concluded. The court would be required to provide, upon request by a proposed patient, a copy of the recording for a reasonable fee to cover the cost of the copy or for free if the proposed patient is indigent.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.