LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 1, 2013

TO:	Honorable Abel Herrero, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3765 by Coleman (Relating to the insanity defense in a criminal case.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Penal Code by modifying the affirmative defense of insanity. The Office of Court Administration does not anticipate any fiscal impact to the court system resulting from the bill. No significant impact on state correctional populations, programs, or workload is anticipated from any provisions of the bill that authorize or require a change in the sanctions applicable to adults convicted of felony crimes. The bill may result in increased findings of not guilty by reason of insanity and subsequent committals to state mental health facilities, but any fiscal impact is expected to be insignificant and could be absorbed within existing resources. 

The change in law would apply to acquittals for offenses occurring on or after the bill's effective date. The bill would take effect September 1, 2013.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 537 State Health Services, Department of

LBB Staff:

UP, ESi, AM, NB, JGA