81(R) HB 4451 - Introduced version

TO:	Honorable Jim McReynolds, Chair, House Committee on Corrections

FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	HB4451 by McReynolds (Relating to provision of continuity of care services for youth with mental illness or mental retardation who are paroled or discharged from the Texas Youth Commission.), As Introduced

The bill would amend the Human Resources and Health and Safety Codes as they relate to the continuity of care services for youth with mental illness or mental retardation who are paroled or discharged from the Texas Youth Commission (TYC). Under the provisions of this bill, youth with mental illness or mental retardation discharged from the TYC would be eligible to receive continuity of care services from the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments. The bill would also allow the youth who do not meet criteria for adult services as defined by Section 533.0352, Health and Safety Code, to continue to receive continuity of care services until the youth completes parole. The bill would also allow youth with mental illness discharged from the TYC under Section 61.077, Human Resources Code, to receive continuity of care services for a minimum of 90 days after discharge and thereafter until the youth can demonstrate sufficient stability to successfully transition to services provided by a local mental health and mental retardation center.

The Youth Commission and the Department of Aging and disability estimate no significant fiscal impact. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) reports it cannot determine the fiscal impact from the increased use of services for juvenile offenders provided by the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments. It is assumed that the fiscal impact to TDCJ would not be significant.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2009.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


March 31, 2009