Honorable Myra Crownover, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB62 by Martinez, "Mando" (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 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to the transportation of certain mental health patients. The bill would prioritize the method of transportation to an appropriate mental health facility for a person apprehended in a county located on the Texas-Mexico border that has a population of 500,000 or more and is adjacent to two or more counties, each of which has a population of 50,000 or more. Under the provisions of the bill, Hidalgo County is the only county in Texas that would qualify under the criteria presented. The bill would require the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to fund the transportation in certain instances of a person apprehended in the county to an appropriate mental health facility. DSHS has indicated that the provisions of the bill could be implemented within existing resources.
Local Government Impact
Because the bill would not have statewide impact on units of local government of the same type or class, no comment from this office is required by the rules of the House/Senate as to its probable fiscal implication on units of local government.