Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1438 by Paxton (Relating to the transportation of certain mental health patients.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Chapter 573, Health and Safety Code, relating to the transportation of certain mental health patients. The bill would require that the person apprehended be transported to the nearest appropriate inpatient mental health facility in the county in which the person is apprehended. If there is no appropriate inpatient mental health facility in that county, then the person would be transported to the nearest facility outside the county. The Department of State Health Services indicates that the provisions of the bill can be implemented within existing resources.
Local Government Impact
There may be some savings to local mental health facilities that may otherwise transport a person multiple times from the facility in one county to hearings in another county. Fiscal impact, however, is not anticipated to be significant.