LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 3, 2009

TO:	Honorable Patrick M. Rose, Chair, House Committee on Human Services
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB4550 by Naishtat (Relating to the recruitment and retention of certain caseworkers employed by the Department of Family and Protective Services.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require the Department of Family and Protective Services to use special assessment tools in screening applicants for employment with the division. It would require the agency to study the salaries of each type of child protective services caseworker to determine the role salary plays in recruitment, retention, and turnover, and to report the results of the study by December 1, 2010. It would also require the Health and Human Services Commission to consider contracting with an institution of higher education to perform the study. Provisions relating to the salary study would expire on September 1, 2011. The bill would be effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote, or on September 1, 2009. Although the agency indicates there would be some cost to implement the provisions of the bill, it is assumed that these costs can be absorbed within existing resources.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

530 Family and Protective Services, Department of, 710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices, 720 The University of Texas System Administration

LBB Staff:

JOB, CL, NM, MB