Honorable Four Price, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1794 by Bell (Relating to the establishment of the Work Group on Mental Health Access for First Responders.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to establish a Work Group on Mental Health Access for First Responders to develop and make recommendations for improving access to mental health care services for first responders. The work group would consist of the dean of the Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice or a designee, a representative of the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), and 11 other representatives from various other areas of local government and the general public. The bill would require HHSC to provide administrative support for the work group from the commission's existing budget. The bill would require the work group to develop a written report of certain recommendations and deliver the report electronically to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and all members of the Legislature not later than November 1, 2018. The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote by both houses. Otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
HHSC indicates that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed within the agency's existing resources. Based on the LBB's analysis of TDI and Sam Houston State University, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
Local Government Impact
According to the Texas Association of Counties, the fiscal impact to counties is not anticipated to be significant.
Source Agencies:
454 Department of Insurance, 529 Health and Human Services Commission