Texas Senate Bill SB1551

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to court reporter costs incurred in a hearing or proceeding for the involuntary detention of a person with mental illness.

Impact

The enactment of SB1551 is expected to alter the financial responsibilities associated with involuntary mental health detention hearings, as it allows for court reporter costs to be included among the other allowable expenses, such as attorney fees and transportation costs. This could potentially increase the total costs incurred by the state and local jurisdictions during these proceedings, depending on how frequently court reporters are utilized in such cases. Consequently, it may also impact budget allocations for mental health services and legal processes in courts.

Summary

Senate Bill 1551 pertains to the costs incurred by court reporters during hearings or proceedings for the involuntary detention of individuals diagnosed with mental illnesses. The legislation amends Section 571.018(c) of the Health and Safety Code to explicitly include costs related to court reporters as part of the expenses that can be billed during such legal proceedings. This development marks a significant change as it formally acknowledges the role of court reporters in these sensitive cases, where accurate documentation is crucial for upholding legal standards and ensuring proper treatment of individuals being detained involuntarily due to mental health issues.

Contention

Though the bill appears to provide a necessary update to acknowledge the integral role of court reporters in mental health legal proceedings, there may be concerns regarding the financial implications for counties that are already facing budget constraints. Critics may argue that adding court reporter fees to the list of reimbursable costs could burden local governments, particularly if the frequency of involuntary detentions rises. Supporters of the bill, however, would likely counter that ensuring thorough legal documentation serves public interest and promotes fairness in the treatment of individuals with mental health issues.