LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

February 23, 2005

TO:	Honorable Suzanna Gratia Hupp, Chair, House Committee on Human Services
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB920 by Uresti (Relating to protective and guardianship services for elderly and disabled persons.), As Introduced

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB920, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($1,344,469) through the biennium ending August 31, 2007.

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
2006	($566,812)
2007	($777,657)
2008	($820,102)
2009	($862,548)
2010	($904,994)

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable (Cost) from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1	Probable (Cost) from FEDERAL FUNDS 555
2006	($566,812)	($179,573)
2007	($777,657)	($246,454)
2008	($820,102)	($260,009)
2009	($862,548)	($273,563)
2010	($904,994)	($287,117)

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would reform protective and guardianship services for elderly and disabled persons.  These services are currently provided by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS).

Section 1.02 would establish an incentive program to encourage certain department employees to obtain higher education degrees in social work or psychology.

Section 1.03 would require DFPS to establish a training program that adult protective employees must complete before initiating an investigation or providing services.

Section 1.07 would require DFPS to limit the number of cases assigned to caseworkers who have been employeed for less than a year.

Section 1.10 would require DFPS to establish a caseload management reduction plan.

Article II would reform the guardianship program, which is currently operated by DADS via interagency contract with DFPS.  The bill would assign the program statutorily to DADS.

Methodology

Section 1.02 is estimated to cost $19,411 in 2006 rising by approximately $2,500 each following year.  This assumes 50 workers participating initially, with 10 additional participating each following year.  The estimated cost per participant is $1,600 per year--approximately 50 percent of costs for part-time (6 hour) enrollment per semester.

Section 1.03 is estimated to cost $0.5million in 2006 and $0.7 million each following year.

Section 1.07 is estimated to be cost neutral, with the assumption that more senior/experienced staff  would increase workload to offset lower caseloads for new workers.

Section 1.10 is estimated to have no significant fiscal impact.

Article II is estimated to have no significant fiscal impact.  The guardianship program is funded at DADS currently (fiscal year 2005).

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

529 Health and Human Services Commission, 530 Department of Family and Protective Services, 539 Department of Aging and Disability Services, 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board

LBB Staff:

JOB, CL, PP, RC