Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB4154 by Rose (Relating to the creation by the Health and Human Services Commission of a volunteer advocate program for certain elderly individuals.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, by adding Section 531.057 and 531.0571. The bill would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to establish a volunteer advocate program advisory committee and have the Executive Commissioner appoint members. HHSC would be required to provide the committee with the staff support, and pay for travel expenses of the committee members. The agency could enter into agreements with appropriate nonprofit organizations for the provision of services under the program and the Commission may accept gifts, grants, or donations for the program from any public or private source.
It is anticipated that the cost to implement provisions of the bill would be minimal and could be absorbed within available resources. HHSC indicated it would establish a volunteer advocate program under which trained individuals would serve as volunteer advocates for the elderly individuals through contractual agreements with local entities. HHSC assumed three pilot sites and an additional 2.1 FTEs and $282,752 in fiscal year 2010 and $219,184 in General Revenue thereafter.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
529 Health and Human Services Commission, 539 Aging and Disability Services, Department of