Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB71 by Nelson (Relating to the establishment of a statewide telehealth center for sexual assault forensic medical examination.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB71, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($1,000,000) 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.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2020
($500,000)
2021
($500,000)
2022
($500,000)
2023
($500,000)
2024
($500,000)
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2020
($500,000)
2021
($500,000)
2022
($500,000)
2023
($500,000)
2024
($500,000)
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Government Code to establish a new Statewide Telehealth Center for Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Examination within the Office of the Attorney General. Among other responsibilities, the center is authorized to facilitate sexual assault examiner trainings and to provide consultations to sexual assault examiners either in person or via telecommunications.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2019.
Methodology
The provisions of the bill authorize the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), in consultation with medical and forensic examination experts, to enter into contracts to implement the Statewide Telehealth Center for Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Examination. According to information provided by the OAG, cost estimates for contracting with a qualified medical provider would be $500,000 per fiscal year based on comparable federal grant programs in other states.
Local Government Impact
The fiscal implications of the bill on local units of government cannot be determined at this time.