Honorable Dan Patrick, Lieutenant Governor, Senate
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1507 by Garcia (Relating to the appointment of a forensic director responsible for statewide coordination and oversight of forensic mental health services overseen by the Department of State Health Services.), As Passed 2nd House
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to require the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to appoint a forensic medical director responsible for statewide coordination and oversight of forensic mental health services. The bill would require that the person appointed to this position have proven expertise in forensic services. The bill would also require DSHS to create a workgroup of experts and stakeholders to issue a report of recommendations concerning the creation of a comprehensive plan for coordination of forensic services. The report would be due to the Legislative Budget Board no later than July 1, 2016.
The bill would also require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to alter the regional allocation of state-funded inpatient mental health beds. The executive commissioner of HHSC would be required to adopt an initial allocation methodology, and DSHS would be required to submit a report including a summary of plans to develop or update the bed day allocation methodology to the Legislative Budget Board every two years.
The bill would require that DSHS contract only with local mental and behavioral health authorities to administer outreach, screening, assessment and referral functions related to substance abuse services.
This analysis assumes that HHSC and DSHS could absorb the costs associated with implementation of the bill within existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
529 Health and Human Services Commission, 537 State Health Services, Department of