Honorable Terry M. Wilson, Chair, House Committee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB4185 by Bailes (Relating to a pilot program to award grants for personalized treatment protocols for veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.), As Introduced
Implementing the provisions of the bill utilizing available resources could result in an equal reduction of appropriations in other functions at the agency. The anticipated fiscal impact to the agency is estimated to be $647,052 in General Revenue for the 2024-25 biennium. Costs for grants cannot be determined at this time.
The bill would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), using available resources and in cooperation with a nonprofit veterans organization, to establish and operate a pilot program to award grants for the provision of a personalized treatment protocol to at least 250 veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, including treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder. HHSC would be authorized to accept gifts, grants, and donations to operate the pilot program.
HHSC would be required to submit a report on the pilot program by October 1, 2028, and the pilot would conclude September 1, 2029.
The analysis assumes HHSC would require 3.0 additional full-time equivalents (FTEs), including a 2.0 Program Specialist VIs and a Contract Specialist V to administer the grant program. Costs for FTEs, including salary, benefits, technology, furniture, supplies, site visits, and promotional materials would total $0.4 million per fiscal year, including $0.3 million in General Revenue and less than $0.1 million in Federal Funds.
The cost estimate includes only the cost to administer the program and does not include funding required to provide grants for a personalized treatment protocol to at least 250 veterans. HHSC would require funding beyond the administrative costs to actually implement the grant program, but the cost for grant funding would depend on the costs of the personalized treatment protocols. According to HHSC, it is unknown what treatments comport with the bill requirements, the academic and/or training credential of the individuals who could deliver the treatments, and the frequency of the treatments. Therefore, a cost estimate for grants cannot be provided. Other community mental health grant programs at HHSC received appropriations ranging from $5.0 million to $25.0 million for grants each fiscal year of the 2022-23 biennium.
This analysis acknowledges that implementing the provisions of the bill within available resources could reduce appropriations for existing functions at the agency if gifts, grants, and donations are not received to cover program expenses.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.