Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3736 by McReynolds (Relating to establishing parole officer maximum caseloads.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code by requiring the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to adopt a policy that establishes guidelines for a maximum caseload for each parole officer. The bill specifies caseload number for caseload type for each officer. The bill would change the current regular supervision caseload ratio of 75:1 to 60:1, the special needs offender program caseload ratio of 45:1 would be decreased to 35:1, the substance abuse caseload ratio of 75:1 would be decreased to 35:1, and the sex offender caseload ratio of 30:1 would be decreased to 24:1. The bill would require that if unable to meet the maximum caseload guidelines, TDCJ shall submit a report to the Legislative Budget Board, at the end of the fiscal year in which the maximum caseload is not met, stating the amount of money needed to meet the guidelines.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has determined that the costs associated with implementing the bill are not anticipated to be significant and would be absorbed with current resources.
However, in order to meet the guidelines for a maximum caseload as established by the legislation, TDCJ has estimated the cost of implementing the bill at $60.8 million over the biennium. Based on existing caseload ratios and projected future parole supervision populations, TDCJ estimates the need for an additional 625 staff (parole officers and administrative support employees) estimated to cost $51,239,177 for the biennium. Other costs associated with the additional staff would include the rental of additional office space, office equipment, and travel expenses estimated to be $11,051,764 for the biennium.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.