LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 5, 2003

TO:	Honorable Carlos Uresti, Chair, House Committee on Human Services
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB669 by Ogden (Relating to the investigation of certain reports of child abuse or neglect.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

The bill would amend the Family Code to require joint investigations by the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (PRS) and a peace officer from the appropriate law enforcement agency when PRS assigns the highest priority to a report of child abuse or neglect.  It would also amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to require a peace officer to accompany the PRS investigator in initially responding to the report within 24 hours.  The bill would take effect on September 1, 2003, and only apply to reports made on or after that date.  PRS is already required to jointly investigate with law enforcement reports alleging serious physical or sexual abuse.  The agency projects no significant fiscal impact from extending the requirement to all Priority One reports.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.  Law enforcement agencies would incur costs related to overtime pay for peace officers, but these costs could be absorbed by existing budgets.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 303 Building and Procurement Commission, 405 Department of Public Safety, 458 Alcoholic Beverage Commission, 501 Department of Health, 530 Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, 694 Youth Commission, 696 Department of Criminal Justice, 802 Parks and Wildlife Department

LBB Staff:

JK, EB, NM, KG