LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 9, 2009

TO:	Honorable Lois W. Kolkhorst, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB89 by Martinez, "Mando" (Relating to the transportation of certain mental health patients.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would prioritize the method of transportation to an appropriate mental health facility for a person apprehended in a county located on the Texas Mexico border that has a population of 500,000 or more and is adjacent to two or more counties each of which has a population of 50,000 or more.  The bill would be effective September 1, 2009.

 

According to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Hidalgo County is the only county in Texas that would qualify under the criteria presented in the bill.  It is assumed that DSHS Rio Grande State Center would be responsible for providing transportation for patients admitted to state hospitals from Hidalgo County. It is further assumed that any costs associated with this increased transportation can be absorbed within existing agency resources.

Local Government Impact

Because the bill would not have statewide impact on units of local government of the same type or class, no comment from this office is required by the rules of the House/Senate as to its probable fiscal implication on units of local government.

Source Agencies:

407 Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education, 537 State Health Services, Department of

LBB Staff:

JOB, CL, JF, LR, TP