Honorable Lois W. Kolkhorst, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1238 by Johnson (Relating to the admission, examination, and discharge of a person for voluntary mental health services.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Chapter 572 of the Health and Safety Code to require a prospective voluntary patient at an inpatient mental health facility to have received a physical and a psychiatric examination from a physician within 72 hours before the admission or 24 hours after admission. If the examination occurs after the admission, the physician must discharge a person who does not meet clinical standards to receive inpatient care. The Health and Human Services Commission determined that the provisions of the bill could be implemented using existing resources. The bill would take effect September 1, 2019.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.