The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutR-2006-20 oppose implementation of charges for services rendered by Harris County medical examiner's office REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Agenda Date Requested: Bude:et Requested By: Source of Funds: Department: Police Account Number: Report: X Resolution: Ordinance: Amount Budgeted: Exhibits: Resolution Opposing County Medical Examiner's Office Fees for Services Amount Requested: Exhibits: Budgeted Item: YES NO p;J- O~ ~~ Exhibits SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION Consider for action a Resolution of the City Council opposing the possible implementation of charges for services rendered by the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office asking that a more thoughtful and inclusive process regarding the possible implementation of such charges; and that the City Council feels that the implementation of such fees result to "double billing" as La Porte residents pay County taxes. " Action Required bv Council: Pass Resolution opposing fees for services. 2 "-;;(d-. -0 0 Date RESOLUTION NO. 2006-Jb A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS OPPOSING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CHARGES FOR SERVICES RENDERED BY THE HARRIS COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE. WHEREAS, On May 18, 2006 the Harris County Medical Examiner notified the City of La Porte by written correspondence that the Medical Examiner's office would begin billing for requested laboratory services; and, WHEREAS, services rendered by the Medical Examiner's office have historically been furnished at no additional cost, similar to other County taxpayer supported services such as the District Attorney's Office, The County and District Court system, the County Jail system, etc; and, WHEREAS, incorporated cities in Harris County and other police agencies were never consulted prior to the announcement of this fee; and, WHEREAS, the proposed fee schedule amounts to "double billing" for services, in that the residents of La Porte participate mightily in the ad-valorem taxation of Harris County residents; and, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS: City Council stands firmly opposed to any such fee that amounts to a double-taxation of city residents. City Council fmds it particularly egregious that such fees were presented as a fait- accompli without due consultation and consideration of those agencies most directly impacted by their implementation; and, that these actions were taken with little or no planning or regard for long term consequences on the part of Harris County. City Council recognizes and appreciates the decision that was reached to delay charging fees, as they were originally to be implemented June 1, 2006; and that the further consideration regarding the charging of such fees should be with consultation and consideration of those agencies directly impacted by such an implementation offees. City Council believes that the implementation of such fees will have a chilling effect on Medical Examiner service requests, resulting in a more lengthy and problematic prosecutions, which in turn will result in more crime countywide. The City of La Porte requests Harris County to not implement the program of charging fees for Medical Examiner services, and that a more thoughtful and inclusive process regarding this matter be followed, going forward. PASSED AND APPROVED on this the day of , A.D., 2006. CITY OF LA PORTE Alton E. Porter, Mayor ATTEST: Martha Gillett City Secretary !1-t5o/Gt--!(o0 fJ of jJlf55~d . C~ I e -f R~-f--f {J)'rt01fJ -h 6t nd )ffltf Luis A. Sanchez, M.D. Chief Medical Examiner (713) 796-9292 FAX: (713) 796-6844 JOSEPH A. JACHIMCZVK FORENSIC CENTER May 11,2006 Richard Reff Chief of Police La Porte Police Department 915 South 8th Street LaPorte, TX 77571 RECEIVID MAY 18 ZOP6 ClllIW6Qmce Re: Laboratory Billing ". .J. . ... .~_ ""_ .~. Dear Chief, Effective June 1, 2006, the Harris Comity Medical Examiner's Office will begin billing for requested laboratory services. In the past, we have not billed for all services rendered; however, in an effort to recover some of our operating costs, we must begin charging for all analyzed cases. This payment must be made prior to or at the time of the release of the final report of analysis. Attached is the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office fee schedule approved by Commissioners Court on April 4, 2006. These rates will be applied to the various testing and services rendered by our Forensic Crime Laboratory. Our forensic laboratories maintain the highest standards to ensure quality in all its processes as evidenced by our accreditations by the Department of Public Safety (DPS), the American Society of Crime Laboratory DirectorslLaboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) and the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT). If you have questions, contact me at (713) 796-6727. Sincerely, ;'i V ./7 l./'J, L ,)t)kl-~-t..C r.. I~! ~.CL' ..- Laura L. Bydalek, CPA Business Manager LLB/lb Enclosures (1) 1885 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, Texas 77054 www.co.harris.tx.us/me Luis A. Sanchez, M.D. Chief Medical Examiner JOSEPH A. JACHIMCZYK FORENSIC CENTER FEE SCHEDULE Effective Mav 1. 2006 (713) 796-9292 FAX: (713) 796-6844 Professional Time Expert Witness/Consultation - Lab & Other ME Staff (fixed fee for preparation time plus an hourly rate for travel & witness/consult time) Case Case Da Slide Slide Pa e Each Document Print Print Film Hour 1885 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, Texas 77054 www.co.harris.tx.us/me Houri Houri Test Test Test Test Test Test Test $90 $19 $110 $115 $35 $4 $4 $95 $13 Prepared by OBM Approved 04/04/06 Page 1 of 2 Luis A. Sanchez, M.D. Chief Medical Examiner (713) 796-9292 FAX: (713) 796-684~ JOSEPH A. JACHIMCZVK FORENSIC CENTER FEE SCHEDULE Effective Mav 1. 2006 Heads ace GCMS ELISA LC/MS/MS HPLC Dru Facilitated Sexual Assault SIDS DUI - Urine DUI - Blood Forensic Urine Dru Post Mortem Test Test Test Test Test Case Case Case Case Case Case Trace Evidence Gun Shot Residue Hair Com arison Trace Evidence Collection Trace Evidence Collection Stub Hour Case Case $195 $175 $310 $620 Controlled Substance Mari"uana Exhibit Chemical Exhibit Exhibit Exhibit $90 $115 Kit Exhibit Exhibit Swab Test Case Card $790 $235 $1,175 $60 $74 $740 $20 Month Case Hour Case $35 $80 $55 $500 1885 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, Texas 77054 Prepared by OBM Approved 04104106 Page 2 of 2 www.co.harris.tx.us/me Luis A. Sanchez, M.D. Chief Medical Examiner (713) 796-9292 FAX: (713) 796-6844 JOSEPH A. JACHIMCZYK FORENSIC CENTER June 12,2006 Richard Reff Chief of Police La Porte Police Department 915 South 8th Street LaPorte, Texas 77571 lR ~ft'lJf't1,It. J,I:JN.1 D 20Qfs ' 'lif/PfNIIMk :... ~ RE: Laboratory Billing Dear Chief, The effective date for billing of requested laboratory services by the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office has been changed to September 1, 2006. The fee schedule rates relate to evidence submitted to the crime laboratory beginning Friday, September I, 2006. An Interlocal Agreement (ILA) for the performance of laboratory analysis services by the Office of the Harris County Medical Examiner is available to your agency. The ILA will not require a certification of funds. The ILA will allow for your agency to be invoiced for services provided on a monthly basis. Another payment option is for your agency to issue a Purchase Order to the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office. Please contact me to discuss these options. Requested laboratory services performed by the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office will consi~t. of the testing and analysis of evidence submitted by your agency. These include toxicology, trace, controlled substance and DNA. The fees for these services are shown on our fee schedule for Law Enforcement. Evidence pickup is expected at the time of the release of the final report. Payment for services provided are expected at this time unless other payment arrangements such as an ILA or purchase order have been established. We wish to extend a personal invitation to your agency to meet with me and the Crime Laboratory Director to discuss any concerns regarding laboratory services. If you have any questions, contact me at (713) 796-6727. Sincerely, '7f;w u-.;f t5L/~ Laura L. Bydalek, CPA Business Manager Cc: Luis A. Sanchez, M.D. Ashraf Mozayani, Ph.D. Mary Daniels 1885 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, Texas 77054 www.co.harris.tx.us/me Luis A. Sanchez, M.D. Chief Medical Examiner JOSEPH A. JACHIMCZYK FORENSIC CENTER FEE SCHEDULE Effective September 1. 2006 (713) 796-9292 FAX: (713) 796-6844 Test Test Test Test Test Test Test Test Test Test Test Test Case Case Case Case Trace Evidence Gun Shot Residue Hair Com arison Trace Evidence Collection Trace Evidence Collection Stub Hour Case Case Controlled Substance Mari"uana Exhibit Chemical Exhibit Exhibit Exhibit 1885 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, Texas 77054 www.co.harris.tx.us/me $19 $175 $310 $620 $9 $115 Prepared by OBM Approved 04/04/06 Page 1 of 2 Luis A. Sanchez, M.D. Chief Medical Examiner (713) 796-9292 FAX: (713) 796-6844 JOSEPH A. JACHIMCZYK FORENSIC CENTER FEE SCHEDULE Effective September 1. 2006 Kit Exhibit Exhibit Swab Test Case Card $790 $235 $1,175 $60 $740 $740 $20 Month Case $35 $80 1885 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, Texas 77054 Prepared by OBM Approved 04104106 Page 2 of 2 www.co.harris.tx.us/me Luis A. Sanchez, M.D. Chief Medical Examiner (713) 796-9292 FAX: (713) 796-6844 JOSEPH A. JACHIMCZYK FORENSIC CENTER July 28, 2006 Richard Reff Chief of Police La Porte Police Department 915 South 8th Street LaPorte, Texas 77571 RE: Laboratory Fees Dear Chief, Please be advised that on July 25, 2006 the Harris County Commissioners Court deferred the implementation of the forensic laboratory analysis fee schedule until its Mid- Year Budget Review Meeting. Therefore the fee schedule will not go into effect on September 1, 2006 and remains on hold until further notice. We regret any misunderstanding concerning this matter. Sincerely, ~y~Jlt~ Business Manager cc: Luis A. Sanchez, M.D. Ashraf Mozayani, Ph. D. Mary E. Daniels RECEIVED ,II (' ,i' )fH1Fi .~ '..' ~- . -.,' } CHIEF'S OFFICE 1885 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, Texas n054 www.co.harrls.tx.uslme