LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 1547

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: DECEMBER 3, 1996

Bill Summary:

      Senate Bill No. 1547 (1R) of 1996 requires hepatitis B, HIV and sexually transmitted disease testing of patients who are admitted for treatment to a State psychiatric hospital, as determined by the Commissioner of Human Services. Furthermore, all employees at State psychiatric hospitals are: (a) to be trained how to interact with patients who have hepatitis B, HIV infection or a sexually transmitted disease and (b) to be given advance notice that a patient has one of these diseases.

Agency Comments:

      The Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Office of Management and Budget have not provided any fiscal information on the legislation.

Office of Legislative Services Comments:

      During FY 1996, there were over 4,200 admissions to the seven State psychiatric hospitals.

      As the conducting of blood testing for hepatitis B, HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases would be "determined by the Commissioner of Human Services," no significant new costs are anticipated as current procedures concerning the conducting of blood testing are likely to continue. At present, various medical tests are conducted on patients who are admitted to State psychiatric hospitals to determine their medical conditions. Blood tests for hepatitis B, HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases are not routinely conducted unless circumstances warrant such tests.

       Employees receive training on how to interact with patients that have a variety of medical conditions. How adequate existing training programs are on these matters is not known. Though employees would probably benefit from additional training to reinforce previous training, the costs associated with such additional training is not known. Finally, employees are informed of a patient's medical condition and whether special precautions must be taken in dealing with a specific patient.

      This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.

This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67.