Honorable Four Price, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1977 by Sheffield (Relating to the definition of "non-physician mental health professional" for purposes of the Texas Mental Health Code.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Chapter 571 of the Health and Safety Code to add licensed physician assistants to the list of individuals classified as non-physician mental health professionals who can provide supplementary testimony during certain hearings relating to court-ordered mental health services, and of which a patient receiving inpatient mental health services is entitled to obtain an independent examination or evaluation. The bill would take effect September 1, 2017. The Health and Human Services Commission indicates that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed within the agency's 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