Honorable Richard Pena Raymond, Chair, House Committee on Human Services
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB221 by Nelson (Relating to the Department of Family and Protective Services, including protective services and investigations of alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation for certain adults who are elderly or disabled; providing a criminal penalty.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would make a number of clarifying changes to areas of statute governing Adult Protective Services. The Department of Family and Protective Services indicates they would be able to absorb any costs within existing resources.
Local Government Impact
The bill would increase from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor the punishment for the offense of intentionally reporting false information under Chapter 48, human Resources Code. The increase in revenue generated from the higher fines would depend on the number of offenses prosecuted and the discretion of the judge in imposing the fines, but is not expected to be significant. A county jail would incur costs associated with increased jail time per offender, but it is anticipated those costs could be absorbed within existing resources.
Source Agencies:
405 Department of Public Safety, 530 Family and Protective Services, Department of