TO:	Honorable Dade Phelan, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives
FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB549 by Thompson, Senfronia (Relating to exemptions from liability for certain professionals for the disclosure of certain mental health information.), As Passed 2nd House

The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to allow certain professionals who work with a patient with a mental or heath condition or disorder to disclose confidential information to mental health personnel if the professional determines there is a probability of imminent physical injury by the patient to the patient or others or a probability of immediate mental or emotional injury to the patient.

The bill would also prevent a civil, criminal, or administrative cause of action against certain persons for the disclosure of confidential information as allowed under the bill's provisions.

The bill would amend the Occupations Code to provide that civil, criminal or administrative cause of actions do not exist in certain circumstances

Based on information provided by the Office of Court Administration, no significant fiscal impact to the state court system is anticipated as a result from implementing the provisions of the bill.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.