LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE
75th Regular Session
February 25, 1997
TO: Honorable Judith Zaffirini, Chair IN RE: Senate Bill No. 118
Committee on Health & Human Services By: Zaffirini
Senate
Austin, Texas
FROM: John Keel, Director
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on SB118 ( Relating
to placement of certain children in certain long-term care institutions.)
this office has detemined the following:
Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by SB118-As Introduced
Implementing the provisions of the bill would result in a net
negative impact of $10,110,220 to General Revenue Related Funds
through the biennium ending August 31, 1999.
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 Chapter 242 of the Health
and Safety Code to provide that an initial placement of a child
(under 22 years of age) with a developmental disability in an
institution may not exceed 45 days. The bill would require
institutions admitting children to notify, within three days,
a number of entities including the Texas Education Agency and
relevant Community Resource Coordination Group (CRCG) and the
school district for the area in which the institution is located.
For notices relating to children younger than 37 months, TEA
would be required to notify the Interagency Council on Early
Childhood Intervention within two days of receipt of placement
notification by an institution.
The bill would also require
the Commissioner of Health and Human Services to develop a statewide
services system for families considering placing a child in
a long-term care facility. The system would be required to:
(1) provide 60 days of intensive services for the child and
family considering placement of the child in a LTC facility
to enable the child to remain at home during that 60-day period;
and (2) identify alternative care options for the child. The
appropriate health and human services agencies would implement
the statewide services system at the direction of the HHS Commissioner.
Fiscal Analysis
Fiscal implications have been identified for the Health and
Human Services Commission, Texas Education Agency, Department
of Human Services, and the Department of Mental Health and Mental
Retardation.
1. HHSC would add one full-time equivalent
for the five year period to monitor CRCG referrals, provide
case management assistance, follow-up on complaints about services
provided by local CRCGs, and develop/direct the implementation
of a statewide service system.
2. TEA reports that no fiscal
implications for state aid are anticipated due to the provisions
of the bill, but does anticipate administrative costs would
be incurred.
3. Estimates assume that the children served
by DHS would be those on waiting lists for either the Related
Conditions Waiver (CLASS) or Medically Dependent Children's
Waiver and that the children are not currently Medicaid eligible.
No new administrative costs related to these services were
assumed.
4. MHMR does not assume new administrative costs
pursuant to the establishment of the statewide services network
but does anticipate additional costs for client services.
Methodolgy
1. HHSC would hire a Program Specialist II at Group 19, Step
5 of the Classification Schedule ($41,160). Equipment costs
of $5,150 would be incurred in the first year. Travel and other
operating costs would also be incurred. The cost for this new
administrative responsibility would total $62,536 in 1998 and
$57,387 each year thereafter.
2. TEA would add 1.5 FTEs:
0.5 Education Specialist II, Group 19-1($16,896) and one Administrative
Secretary, Group 9-1 ($18,192). Travel and other operating
costs would be incurred. Annual costs of $47,684 are estimated.
3. DHS would provide interim services to 715 children for
a 60 day period each year at a daily rate of $67.11. It was
assumed that these services would be not eligible for Medicaid
matching funds because no additional waiver slots are anticipated
to accommodate these families.
4. Assumptions related to
client services estimates for MHMR include:
i) The
schedule for the provision of services would be 475 children
in the first year; 475 the second year; and 100 children each
year thereafter.
ii) It is assumed that the children
will be not be served through the Medicaid Program. Intensive
services were assumed for the first sixty days (5 hours of services
per day for 60 day/300 hours) for each child. The costs assume
an hourly rate of $14.62.
The probable fiscal implications of implementing the provisions
of the bill during each of the first five years following passage
is estimated as follows:
Five Year Impact:
Fiscal Year Probable Probable
Savings/(Cost) Savings/(Cost)
from General from Federal Funds
Revenue Fund
0001 0555
1998 ($5,057,041) ($15,634)
1998 (5,053,179) (14,347)
2000 (3,409,429) (14,347)
2001 (3,408,429) (14,347)
2002 (3,408,429) (14,347)
Net Impact on General Revenue Related Funds:
The probable fiscal implication to General Revenue related funds
during each of the first five years is estimated as follows:
Fiscal Year Probable Net Postive/(Negative)
General Revenue Related Funds
Funds
1998 ($5,057,041)
1999 (5,053,179)
2000 (3,409,429)
2001 (3,408,429)
2002 (3,408,429)
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: Agencies: 532 Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention
655 Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation
529 Health and Human Services Commission
701 Texas Education Agency - Administration
324 Department of Human Services
501 Department of Health
LBB Staff: JK ,BB ,AZ