To repeal a prohibition on the Department of Corrections contracting with third parties to privatize mental health services for prisoners. Under current law the department may only “contract” with the Department of Community Health (the successor agency to the Department of Mental Health, which is the one cited in statute).   Official Text and Analysis.

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that "tie bars" the bill to Houses Bills 5194 and 5198, tax hikes that total $1.5 billion.

To repeal a prohibition on the Department of Corrections contracting with third parties to privatize mental health services for prisoners. Under current law the department may only “contract” with the Department of Community Health (the successor agency to the Department of Mental Health, which is the one cited in statute). Passage of the bill occurred as part of a deal to avoid reducing state spending in the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year by imposing $1.5 billion in tax increases, including an income tax hike (House Bill 5194) and a new 6 percent tax on many personal and business services (House Bill 5198).

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill, which tie bars it to a state income tax hike (House Bill 5194) and a new 6 percent tax on many personal and business services (House Bill 5198), part of a deal to avoid spending cuts in the Fiscal Year 2007-2008 budget.