Honorable Senfronia Thompson, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB19 by Price (Relating to mental health and substance use resources for certain school districts.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB19, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($4,600,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2021.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
This bill requires the provision of 20 non-physician mental health professionals, one per education service center (ESC) region, by local mental health authorities (LMHA). The non-physician mental health professional will serve as a resource in the following areas: awareness/understanding of mental health and co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders; implementing initiatives related to mental health or substance use under state law/agency rule; making aware of the list of best practice programs developed under Section 161.325, Health and Safety Code; other treatment programs available; providing bi-monthly Mental Health First Aid training and training on prevention and intervention programs helping students cope with pressures to use alcohol, cigarettes, illegal drugs or misuse prescription drugs; providing annual training on the effects of grief and trauma and providing support to children with intellectual or developmental disabilities who suffer from grief or trauma. These professionals may not treat or provide counseling to students or provide specific advice to a district regarding a student.
This bill requires HHSC to annually compile reports from LMHAs and prepare a report to the legislature regarding program outcomes.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2020
($2,300,000)
2021
($2,300,000)
2022
($2,300,000)
2023
($2,300,000)
2024
($2,300,000)
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2020
($2,300,000)
2021
($2,300,000)
2022
($2,300,000)
2023
($2,300,000)
2024
($2,300,000)
Fiscal Analysis
This bill requires the provision of 20 non-physician mental health professionals, one per education service center (ESC) region, by local mental health authorities (LMHA). This analysis assumes that the cost of these additional employees would be appropriated to HHSC and then distributed to the local entities.
Methodology
This analysis assumes that LMHAs would hire one additional non-physician mental health professional for each of the 20 Education Service Centers. The Texas Council of Community Centers estimates an annual average salary, benefits and expenses of approximately $115,600 per ESC. This analysis assumes that the cost of these additional employees would be appropriated to HHSC and then distributed to the local entities. The total cost estimate is $2.3 million per fiscal year ($115,600 * 20). These FTEs are not reflected in the summary tables above because they would be employed by local, rather than state entities.
Technology
No significant technology requirements are anticipated.
Local Government Impact
Additional costs could result from unappropriated expenses for employees hired by LHMAs and program costs, including: additional tracking, coordinating, data collection and annual program reporting.
Source Agencies:
529 Health and Human Services Commission, 701 Texas Education Agency