LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 12, 2011

TO:	Honorable Lois W. Kolkhorst, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:	John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2515 by Alvarado (Relating to patient safety plans for certain health care facilities.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Chapters 241 and 243, Health and Safety Code, to require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to implement patient safety plans and report annually on the plans to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). DSHS would then be required to publish a summary of the reports at least annually and make the information available on the DSHS website. The bill would be effective immediately with a two-thirds vote of all members of each house, or on September 1, 2011.

DSHS indicates that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed within the agency’s existing resources.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

537 State Health Services, Department of

LBB Staff:

JOB, CL, VJC, NB