LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 14, 2009

TO:
Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB802 by Davis, John (Relating to the creation of the lifespan respite services program.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB802, Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($1,400,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2011.

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



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2010 ($700,000)
2011 ($700,000)
2012 ($700,000)
2013 ($700,000)
2014 ($700,000)




Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from
General Revenue Fund
1
2010 ($700,000)
2011 ($700,000)
2012 ($700,000)
2013 ($700,000)
2014 ($700,000)

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend Human Resources Code, Chapter 161, by adding Subchapter F requiring the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) to implement a lifespan respite services program to promote the provision of respite services.  Respite services are defined as support services including in-home or adult day-care services provided to give temporary relief to a primary caregiver who provides care to an individual with a chronic serious health condition or disability.  DADS would be required to issue a request for proposals and contract with at least three community-based organizations or local governmental entities to provide respite services subject to the availability of funds and to facilitate access to respite services.  DADS would be required to provide technical assistance and policy and program development support to community-based organizations or local governmental entities with which DADS contracts.   

The Health and Human Services Commission, in consultation with DADS, would be required to submit a report by November 1, 2010, to the governor and the Legislative Budget Board regarding the lifespan respite services program, including an evaluation of the effect of the program on access to respite services and Medicaid long-term care institutional spending.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2009.


Methodology

Promoting the provision of respite services has the potential to avoid future spending on Medicaid institutional long-term care by supporting informal caregivers.

Based on DADS' analysis, it is assumed there would be costs associated with creation of a lifespan
respite services program. It is assumed that there would be contracts with four community-based
organizations or local governmental entities that would total $700,000 per year in fiscal years 2010 through 2014.  Costs include $300,000 for program activities related to facilitating access to respite services and $400,000 for respite services provided to 400 individuals each fiscal year. 


Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

The bill would require DADS to implement a lifespan respite services program and, as part of the program, to contract with community-based organizations or local governmental entities to provide or facilitate access to respite services.



Source Agencies:
539 Aging and Disability Services, Department of
LBB Staff:
JOB, DM, CL, JI