LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 27, 2013

TO:	Honorable Joseph Pickett, Chair, House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1856 by Burkett (Relating to a peace officer's determination whether medical services are needed for persons apprehended for emergency detention.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code relating to a peace officer’s determination whether medical services are needed for persons apprehended for emergency detention.  Under the provisions of the bill, the transporting peace officer may determine if a person in emergency detention should be seen by a medical facility prior to transport to a mental health facility. The bill would take effect immediately if a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of the Legislature is received. Otherwise, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2013. Based on the analysis provided by the Department of State Health Services, it is assumed that the provisions of the bill can be implemented within existing resources.

Local Government Impact

The bill would present new costs to local governments each time an officer determines that an arrestee requires medical services.

Bexar County estimates costs of $355,255 annually for new staff for fiscal years 2014 to 2016, and $404,413 for fiscal years 2017 and 2018, with additional costs of $3,174 annually for supplies. Bexar County also reported one-time equipment costs of $896,290 for fiscal year 2014. This would represent moderate costs (representing 2.5 percent of the budget for fiscal year 2014) for the affected department, whose current budget is $48,637,105.

Source Agencies:

537 State Health Services, Department of

LBB Staff:

UP, ESi, CH, NB, KKR