Honorable Richard Peña Raymond, Chair, House Committee on Human Services
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB418 by Wu ( relating to child victims of trafficking who are placed in secure foster homes.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) indicates the bill could have a significant indeterminate fiscal impact depending upon the adoption of rules after the bill passage relating to the security provided in secure foster homes under the 100 percent federally funded Unaccompanied Refugee Minors program.
The bill would amend Chapter 262 of the Family Code and Chapter 42 of the Human Resources Codes concerning the placement of children in secure foster homes in certain circumstances.
The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) indicates the bill could be implemented within existing resources.
According to HHSC, there may be additional costs due to the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) Program, which provides services to foreign-born child victims of trafficking. DFPS licensed URM facilities do not currently meet the level of security required in the bill and do not provide services tailored specifically to the needs of victims of trafficking, as specified in the bill. While these facilities are currently licensed by DFPS, the minimum qualifications for licensure requirements, to be adopted after the passage of the bill may change. HHSC anticipates that any additional costs to the URM program would be covered by federal funds.
The bill would take effect on September 1, 2015.
Local Government Impact
There may be costs to a county or municipality to contract with a child-placing agency to verify a secure agency foster home or a secure agency foster group home.
According to the Texas Association of Counties, Travis County reported that daily costs of foster care in a home setting in 2012 ranged from $23 to $175 per day, depending on the needs of the child. The juvenile probation department reported that in a long-term residential facility, the average cost per day is $231 for a child that receives services for domestic minor sex trafficking. Fiscal impact would vary depending on the number and needs of children who are victims of trafficking.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 529 Health and Human Services Commission, 530 Family and Protective Services, Department of