Honorable Jim McReynolds, Chair, House Committee on Corrections
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2288 by Madden (Relating to license requirements for certain government employees.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2288, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($371,102) through the biennium ending August 31, 2011.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2010
($185,551)
2011
($185,551)
2012
($185,551)
2013
($185,551)
2014
($185,551)
Fiscal Year
Probable Revenue Gain from General Revenue Fund 1
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2009
2010
$134,063
($319,614)
2.0
2011
$116,863
($302,414)
2.0
2012
$123,224
($308,775)
2.0
2013
$123,224
($308,775)
2.0
2014
$123,224
($308,775)
2.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend Section 501.004 of the Occupations Code to require a person employed as a psychologist or psychological associate by a governmental agency to be licensed if the person serves persons in the criminal or juvenile justice system. The bill would amend Section 503.051 of the Occupations Code to require a person employed as a counselor by a governmental agency to be licensed if the counseling-related activities within the scope of the person's employment include providing services to persons in the criminal or juvenile justice system. The bill would amend Section 505.003 of the Occupations Code to require volunteers or staff members of a public agency or private employer, including a nonprofit corporation, to be licensed if the person performs a service for persons in the criminal or juvenile justice system.
Methodology
The Board of Examiners of Psychologists (BEP) reports that it would require an additional 2.0 full-time-equivalents (FTEs) to investigate additional complaints involving licensees who are employed as psychologists or psychological associates by or in state criminal and juvenile justice facilities. Due to space limitations, this analysis assumes that BEP would rent additional office space for the new FTEs. Based on analysis by BEP, the additional FTEs would cost $83,000 in salaries and wages with associated benefits of $23,713, rent costs of $10,000, and other operating expenses of $150 in each fiscal year of 2010-11. Additionally, there would be a one-time cost of $17,200 in fiscal year 2010. This analysis assumes that any increased BEP costs resulting from the implementation of the provisions of this bill would be offset with fee-generated general revenue.
The Youth Commission (TYC) would require 16 currently unlicensed positions to become licensed, requiring an increase in pay for those positions. This analysis assumes $144,319 in salaries and $41,232 in benefits for each fiscal year.
The Department of Criminal Justice and the Juvenile Probation Commission (JPC) anticipate no significant fiscal impact to the State as a result of the passage of this bill.
Technology
The technology impact is anticipated to be $7,200 in fiscal year 2010.
Local Government Impact
JPC anticipates the bill could potentially impact local governments as locally operated juvenile probation departments and facilities would be required to employ only licensed persons to perform certain services for youth.
Source Agencies:
520 Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 665 Juvenile Probation Commission, 694 Youth Commission, 696 Department of Criminal Justice