Honorable Lois W. Kolkhorst, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1628 by Miles (Relating to the authority of the division of the ombudsman for children and youth in foster care.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1628, As Introduced : a negative impact of ($2,211,282) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2022
($1,544,760)
2023
($666,522)
2024
($667,419)
2025
($668,342)
2026
($669,296)
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2021
2022
($1,544,760)
5.1
2023
($666,522)
5.1
2024
($667,419)
5.1
2025
($668,342)
5.1
2026
($669,296)
5.1
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require the Division of Ombudsman for Children and Youth in Foster Care to receive complaints from persons, child-placing agencies, homes and operations providing foster care services for children and youth.
Methodology
According to information provided by HHSC, 3.0 Ombudsman III full-time equivalents (FTEs), 1.0 Ombudsman V FTE, and 1.1 Program Specialist FTEs would be needed to assist the Division with functions such as case tracking, reporting and quality assurance to resolve complaints received from persons, child-placing agencies, home and operations providing foster care services. The total estimated cost in General Revenue to hire 5.1 FTEs would be $0.6 million in fiscal year 2022, and $0.5 million in fiscal years 2023 through 2026.
Additionally, there would be costs for other Article II agencies related to the system support services provided by HHSC. Estimated costs for the Department of Family and Protectives Services and the Department of State Health Services would be $0.5 million in General Revenue in fiscal year 2022, and $75,427 in fiscal years 2023 through 2026.
According to the Department of Family Protective Services, any costs related to redirecting specific complaints from foster parents to the Ombudsman could be accomplished within existing resources.
Technology
HHSC indicates there would be costs related to system upgrades to the Health and Human Services Enterprise Administrative Report and Tracking (HEART) system, training and supplies for IT staff, seat management services, and basic data storage. The total estimated cost would be $0.5 million in fiscal year 2022 and $89,019 in fiscal years 2023 through 2026.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
529 Hlth & Human Svcs Comm, 530 Family & Protective Services