Honorable Harold V. Dutton, Jr., Chair, House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2652 by Moody (Relating to certain investigations of reports of child abuse or neglect and procedures for foster homes after a report of abuse or neglect.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2652, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($599,040) 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
($599,040)
2017
$0
2018
$0
2019
$0
2020
$0
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Probable Savings/(Cost) from Federal Funds 555
2016
($599,040)
($24,960)
2017
$0
$0
2018
$0
$0
2019
$0
$0
2020
$0
$0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Human Resources Code to require a foster home to submit a corrective action plan when the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is unable to determine after an investigation whether abuse or neglect occurred. DFPS is also required to notify the local law enforcement agency of the department's findings and the local law enforcement agency is required to conduct its own investigation of the reported abuse or neglect. If within a year of the foster home submitting the corrective action plan, another incident of abuse or neglect occurs and DFPS is unable to determine whether abuse or neglect occurred, the foster home must go through the verification process again before another child may be placed in the foster home.
Methodology
In order to track repeat unable to determine findings, corrective action plans for foster homes, and to generate notifications to law enforcement upon closure of a case that resulted in an unable to determine finding, DFPS indicated that changes to its Information Management Protecting Adults and Children in Texas (IMPACT) system, which is the agency's automated casework system and CLASS system (the agency's child care licensing casework system) would be needed. The estimated costs associated with those changes is $624,000 in fiscal year 2016.
Technology
Technology cost of $624,000 in fiscal year 2016 is anticipated to implement the provisions of the bill.
Local Government Impact
There would be costs to a local law enforcement agency; however, fiscal impact would vary depending on the number of investigations and the agency's resources.