Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1446 by Dale (relating to reimbursement of certain medical costs for victims of certain sex offenses and compensation to victims of stalking for relocation and housing rental expenses.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1446, Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2016
$0
2017
$0
2018
$0
2019
$0
2020
$0
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from Crime Victims Comp Acct 469
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2015
2016
($2,853,955)
2.0
2017
($2,893,069)
2.0
2018
($3,045,933)
2.0
2019
($3,351,661)
2.0
2020
($3,351,661)
2.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to provide reimbursement of certain medical care costs for victims of sexual assault and compensation to victims of stalking for housing relocation from the General Revenue-Dedicated Crime Victims' Compensation Account No. 469 by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
Under the bill provisions, the OAG indicates the fiscal impact to the Crime Victims' Compensation Account No. 469 would be $2,853,955 in fiscal year 2016, $2,893,069 in fiscal year 2017, $3,045,933 in fiscal year 2018, and $3,351,661 in fiscal years 2019 and 2020. Costs include salaries for 2.0 FTEs, additional reimbursement and compensation, general operating, capital equipment, and benefits.
The Department of Family and Protective Services indicated the costs associated with implementation of the bill could be absorbed with existing resources.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2015.
Methodology
Currently, the Crime Victims Services Division (CVSD) within the OAG approves an average of 1,693 reimbursement applications for medical care to sexual assault victims each fiscal year with an average reimbursement is $1,488. Additionally, the CVCD receives an average of 407 applications for compensation from victims of stalking each fiscal year and the average compensation for rent and relocation expenses is $2,162.
The CVSD assumes the following related to the bill provisions:
1) Reimbursable medical care costs are those described in the Health and Safety Code, Sec. 323.004; 2) Reimbursable medical care costs would include only initial examinations; 3) The average medical care reimbursement would remain constant at $1,488; 4) The number of additional applications that would receive reimbursement would increase by 20 percent (2,040); 5) The reimbursement would be phased in at 80 percent in fiscal year 2016, 85 percent in fiscal year 2017, 90 percent in fiscal year 2018, 100 percent in subsequent fiscal years; 6) The average rent and relocation compensation would remain constant at $2,162; 7) The number of applications for compensation would increase to 508 each fiscal year; and 8) Approximately 16 percent of applications for rent and relocation compensation would be approved each fiscal year.
Based on the above assumptions related to medical care reimbursement, the CVSD estimates 2,040 additional reimbursements of $1,488 for medical care to sexual assault victims at 80 percent in fiscal year 2016, 85 percent in fiscal year 2017, 90 percent in fiscal year 2018, 100 percent in subsequent fiscal years.
Based on the above assumptions related to rent and relocation compensation for victims of stalking, the CVSD estimates 81 applications of rent and relocation compensation would be approved each fiscal year with an average payment of $2,162.
Additionally, the OAG estimates the bill provisions would require two Accountant I (2.0 FTEs) with a fiscal year costs of $105,872 for salaries ($79,080) and related benefits ($26,792). The additional FTEs would support the CVSD related to additional reimbursement claims.
Technology
There would be a technology impact related to the computer hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, network storage, and updates to workflow systems estimated to be $118,430 in fiscal year 2016 and $4,680 in subsequent years.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.