LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 23, 2011

TO:	Honorable Joe Straus, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives
FROM:	John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB753 by Raymond (Relating to the recruitment and retention of certain caseworkers employed by the Department of Family and Protective Services. ), As Passed 2nd House

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Chapter 40, Human Resources Code, by adding Sections 40.0327 and 40.0328, and 40.074.  The bill would require the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to use special assessment tools to match applicants for employment with Child Protective Services (CPS) with the position in the division for which an applicant would be best suited based on the applicant's skills, personality traits, and experience. The bill would require DFPS to give preference for certain positions to applicants who have a master's or bachelor's degree in social work. The bill would also require DFPS to study the salaries of each type of CPS caseworker to determine the role salary plays in the recruitment and retention of caseworkers and in the turnover rate for each type of caseworker. The Health and Human Services Commission is directed to consider contracting with an institution of higher education to perform the study required by this section. Not later than December 1, 2012, DFPS must report the findings to the Legislature.

The bill would establish a Child Welfare Task Force to determine the appropriate placement, treatment, and service needs for a child; develop a list of tools for providers to use when conducting behavioral assessments for children in the child welfare system; and develop guidelines regarding the contents of assessment reports. The Task Force would be required to submit a report to the commissioner by December 1, 2012 containing a description of the Task Force's activities and  findings. The bill would require DFPS to adopt policies incorporating the Task Force's findings by September 1, 2013, provided the recommendations can be implemented within existing resources. 

It is assumed DFPS could implement the bill 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, NB, CL, MB, VJC