LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 29, 2007

TO:	Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB810 by Janek (Relating to control measures and court orders for management of persons with communicable diseases.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill relates to control measures and court orders for management of persons with communicable diseases. The bill provides a mechanism for the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) or a health authority to order a group of five or more persons, who have been exposed to or infected with a communicable disease, to implement control measures that are reasonable and necessary to prevent the introduction, transmission, and spread of the disease.

Based on information provided by the Department of State Health Services, it is assumed that costs related to the duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be covered by utilizing existing resources.

The bill would take effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house; otherwise the bill would take effect September 1, 2007. 

Local Government Impact

The bill will affect local governments as they must define, identify and potentially quarantine “groups” with communicable disease.  However, local health authorities already face these challenges and costs as they manage individuals with communicable diseases. Local health authorities may have the additional responsibility of obtaining temporary protective custody orders.

Source Agencies:

537 State Health Services, Department of

LBB Staff:

JOB, PP, CL