Honorable Lois W. Kolkhorst, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2007 by Hartnett (Relating to the payment of costs incurred by initiation of emergency detention hearings for persons with mental illness.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code relating to the payment of costs incurred by initiation of emergency detention hearings for persons with mental illness. The bill would provide that a private mental hospital that initiates emergency detention procedures for a person with mental illness must pay the filing fee and costs at the time of filing unless the county clerk or the commissioner's court agrees to accept payment at a later date. To the extent the bill would amend court procedures, no affect on judicial workloads or significant affect to the State is anticipated. The bill would take effect September 1, 2009.
Local Government Impact
The bill would allow delay of payment of a filing fee and costs by a mental hospital in certain cases, but would not absolve the hospital of the fees and costs.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council