LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 86TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 16, 2019

TO:
Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
 
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director     Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director
Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB4468 by Coleman (Relating to county jails and community mental health programs in certain counties.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Government Code to require the Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) to arrange for prisoners to access a mental health professional within a reasonable time if one is not available at the jail or through telemental health services. In the event of noncompliance with the law, the Commission would be required to review the compliance status of the facility at the next Commission meeting. The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) may award a grant for the purpose of establishing a community mental health program in certain counties if the county meets additional funding requirements.

The bill would amend the Occupations Code to require temporarily appointed county jailers to enroll in a preparatory training program on or before the 90th day of their appointment, and provide that temporarily appointed county jailers may not be promoted to a supervisory position within a county jail.

TCJS indicates there are existing funds to cover any expansion and does not anticipate a fiscal impact. The Health and Human Services Commission does not anticipate a fiscal impact to the State.

Local Government Impact

The Texas Association of Counties anticipates a fiscal impact to counties from provisions of the bill, however the impact cannot be determined at this time.


Source Agencies:
409 Commission on Jail Standards, 529 Health and Human Services Commission, 537 State Health Services, Department of
LBB Staff:
WP, LBO, AF, AI, AMa, EP, JPo, SB