| TO: | Honorable Jerry Madden, Chair, House Committee on Corrections |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB1741 by Shapiro (Relating to the creation of a state agency to perform the functions relating to the sex offender civil commitment program that are currently performed by the Council on Sex Offender Treatment.), As Engrossed |
The bill would transfer the functions of the Council on Sex Offender Treatment related to the sex offender civil commitment program to the Office of Violent Sex Offender Management (Office), which is created by the bill. The Department of State Health Services indicates an annual savings of $880,125 in General Revenue in fiscal years 2008-2012 and a reduction of 4 Full-Time-Equivalent (FTE) positions due to the transfer. It is assumed this funding and FTE authority would transfer to the new Office.
The bill would entitle members of the governing board of the Office to reimbursement for certain expenses. Reimbursement would not be permissable without specific authorization in the General Appropriations Act.
It is assumed that the responsibilities of the special prosecution unit of Walker County, which initiates and pursues civil commitment proceedings, are not transferred to the Office. Funding for the special prosecution unit of Walker County is included in the appropriations for the Judiciary Section of the Comptroller's Department.
| Source Agencies: | 537 State Health Services, Department of, 696 Department of Criminal Justice
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, ES, PP, SSt
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