FISCAL NOTE

House Bill 284 as substituted and reported by the Committee on Judiciary allows a law enforcement officer to place certain individuals believed to be mentally ill and an immediate danger to themselves or others into protective custody and transport them to certain facilities for evaluation and treatment. This bill further provides civil immunity to law enforcement officers, medical staff, hospitals and mental health treatment facilities when complying with the provisions of this bill.

In addition, this bill conditions applicability of the act upon the judge of probate, with approval of the county commission, finding that there exists in the county provisions to implement this act and necessary facilities exist in the county to detain persons pursuant to this act. This bill provides a subsequent notification process for the probate judge to serve notice of implementation of this bill and to terminate the procedures regarding mental health commitments currently provided by law.

This bill could increase the obligations of the State General Fund, by an undetermined amount, to pay court costs associated with probable cause hearings to commit an individual pursuant to this bill. Further, this bill could increase the obligations of the Department of Mental Health, by an undetermined amount, dependent upon the number of individuals placed in protective custody and treated at Community Mental Health Facilities.