LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 74th Regular Session February 28, 1995 TO: Honorable Don Henderson IN RE: Committee Substitute Committee on Jurisprudence for Senate Senate Bill Austin, Texas No. 338 By: Zaffirini FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on Senate Bill No. 338 (relating to the involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship) 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 amend the Texas Family Code to allow termination of parental rights when a child, in the managing conservatorship of the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services or another authorized agency, has been constructively abandoned for one year and the parent has not visited, maintained contact with, or shown a willingness or ability to provide a safe environment for the child. The bill is based on a Texas Performance Review recommendation (GG11) that the Legislature should amend the family code to allow termination of parental rights one year after a child is removed from the home if the parent has refused to follow court orders. The recommendation anticipates a savings to the State by reducing foster care costs for children who have no hope of reuniting with their parents. Savings are based on the Comptroller of Public Account's TPR recommendation. The Department of Protective and Regulatory Services indicates the savings to be $740,744 for the 1996-97 biennium due to a more favorable federal matching ratio for foster care payments. 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 Savings Year from General Revenue Fund 001 1996 $541,000 1997 541,000 1998 541,000 1999 541,000 2000 541,000 Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as the provisions of the bill are in effect. No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source: Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, Comptroller of Public Accounts LBB Staff: JK, NM, RR