Honorable Senfronia Thompson, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3970 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, 2019.
Based on the Legislative Budget Board's analysis of the Health and Human Services Commission, it is assumed that the provisions of the bill relating to the to the definition of "non-physician mental health professional" for purposes of the Texas Mental Health Code could be absorbed using existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.