LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

February 18, 2013

TO:	Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB426 by Nelson (Relating to a home visiting program for at-risk families.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Chapter 531 of the Government Code to require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to establish a Texas Home Visiting Program whereby early childhood and health professionals would visit the homes of at-risk pregnant women or families with children under age six to improve outcomes for parents and families.

The bill would require HHSC to ensure the program achieves favorable outcomes, to evaluate the programs by adopting outcome indicators, and to regularly report on the program.

Since the agency currently operates a Texas Home Visiting Program that contracts with evidence-based service providers, the agency assumes that duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2013 with the exception of the regular reporting requirement, which would take effect January 15, 2015.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

529 Health and Human Services Commission

LBB Staff:

UP, CL, ES, VJC, KKR