LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE
74th Regular Session
May 5, 1995
TO: Honorable Toby Goodman, Chair IN RE: Committee Substitute
Committee on Juvenile Justice and for
Family Issues House Bill
House of Representatives No. 2567
Austin, Texas By: Brady
FROM: John Keel, Director
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on House Bill No.
2567 (relating to the investigation of certain allegations of
child abuse; providing penalties) this office has determined the
following:
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal
basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions
of the bill.
The bill would require the Department of Protective and
Regulatory Services to establish review teams composed of
community representatives and private citizens to evaluate the
department's casework and decision-making in child abuse
investigations. The review teams would examine the facts as
presented by departmental caseworkers and local law enforcement
personnel. If the department established two teams to review 384
cases each year, the implementation of the provisions of the bill
would cost $271,159 during the first five years after passage.
The bill would require the department to file a petition for the
removal of an alleged perpetrator in certain child abuse cases
rather than attempting to remove the child from the residence.
This provision could result in a cost savings due to fewer foster
care placements, but the savings cannot be determined.
The bill would require the department to conduct joint
investigations of child abuse cases with local law enforcement
agencies. This provision would have an impact on staffing
requirements which cannot be determined.
The probable fiscal implication of implementing the provisions of
the bill during each of the first five years following passage
is estimated as follows:
Fiscal Probable Cost Out Probable Cost Out Change in
Year of General of Federal Funds Number of State
Revenue Fund 001 555 Employees from
FY 1995
1996 $31,013 $32,278 1.2
1997 25,464 26,503 1.2
1998 25,464 26,503 1.2
1999 25,464 26,503 1.2
2000 25,464 26,503 1.2
Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as the
provisions of the bill are in effect.
The fiscal implication to units of local government cannot be
determined.
Source: Department of Protective & Regulatory Services
LBB Staff: JK, NM, RR