Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1758 by Zaffirini (Relating to requirements for the court in permanency hearings for children in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services who are receiving transitional living services.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1758, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($6,719,071) through the biennium ending August 31, 2019.
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
2018
($3,442,839)
2019
($3,276,232)
2020
($3,276,232)
2021
($3,276,232)
2022
($3,276,232)
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Probable Savings/(Cost) from Federal Funds 555
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2017
2018
($3,442,839)
($14,850)
11.1
2019
($3,276,232)
($3,579)
11.1
2020
($3,276,232)
($3,579)
11.1
2021
($3,276,232)
($3,579)
11.1
2022
($3,276,232)
($3,579)
11.1
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Family Code relating to requirements for the court in permanency hearings for children in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) who are receiving transitional living services.
The bill would require the courts to ask all parties present during a permanency hearing questions relating to the heritage of the child, and whether the child has received certain required services and information from the agency.
The bill would require DFPS to conduct an annual independent living skill assessment for children in the conservatorship of the state, beginning at 14 years of age.
The bill would require DFPS to create a plan to standardize the Preparation for Adult Living Program curriculum and report the plan to the legislature no later than December 1, 2018.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
Methodology
According to the agency, to provide annually a life skills assessment for children in conservatorship of the state beginning at age 14 would approximately double the amount of assessments currently provided, and would cost approximately $2.3 million each fiscal year. In addition, the analysis assumes that in order to coordinate services and track compliance, DFPS would require an additional 11.1 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and $111,406 for IMPACT database modifications. The analysis assumes that each additional FTE would cost approximately $88,700 per fiscal year for related benefits and expenses, and approximately $6,000 in fiscal year 2018 for one-time set up costs.
DFPS assumes that all other duties and responsibilities related to the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
Technology
The annual technology impact totals $111,406 for system upgrades in fiscal year 2018, and approximately $1,075 per FTE each fiscal year beginning in fiscal year 2018 for related computer and data center services expenses.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.