Primary Department: Commissioner, Precinct 4
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Lesley Briones, Commissioner
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Discussion Item
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request for discussion and possible action regarding Court's action on February 26, 2026, approving the adoption of procedures and policies governing the collection of filing fees and court costs in civil mental health proceedings in Harris County.
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Background and Discussion:
On February 26, 2026, Commissioners Court approved new policies and procedures governing the assessment and collection of statutory filing fees for civil mental health proceedings in Harris County Probate courts, effective May 4, 2026. Once implemented, the change will require mental health facilities filing civil commitment cases with the Harris County Clerk's Office to pay all required filing fees at the time of case initiation, unless otherwise waived due to the patient's indigency.
This item requests clarification on implementation of civil mental health filing fees including procedures for determining who is responsible for payment, how fees will be collected and applied, and how the new requirements will be communicated to hospitals and mental health facilities ahead implementation.
Expected Impact: N/A
Alternative Options: N/A
County Strategic Plan Goal: N/A
County Strategic Plan Objective: N/A
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
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