LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 27, 2017

TO:
Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB1881 by Menéndez (Relating to the appointment of foster parents and other qualified persons to serve as educational decision-makers for certain children in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Education Code and Family Code relating to the appointment of foster parents and other qualified persons to serve as educational decision-makers for certain children in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services. Based on information provided by the Office of Court Administration, Texas Education Agency, and the Department of Family and Protective Services, it is assumed that duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.

Local Government Impact

The bill would require foster parents and court-certified volunteer advocates for students with disabilities to complete a training program for the purpose of making education decisions prior to an admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee meeting, or within a specific time period established by the bill. According to the Texas Education Agency (TEA), there would be a cost related to developing the required training program for a school district, an education service center, or any other entity that receives federal funds to provide training to parents. TEA estimates a cost of $230,000 in fiscal year 2018 for initial development of the training program and continuing costs of $25,000 in subsequent years to maintain and update the online training program.

The bill would require a school district to appoint an individual to serve as the surrogate parent for a student under certain instances. TEA estimates that school districts may need to hire additional staff members to comply with the provisions of the bill. According to TEA, the average annual salary for a social worker is $45,000 and the average annual salary for a counselor is $63,000. Costs related to hiring additional staff would vary depending on the size of the district and the number of students in foster care with a disability who enroll in the district.

According to the OCA, no significant fiscal implication to local courts is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 530 Family and Protective Services, Department of, 701 Texas Education Agency
LBB Staff:
UP, KCA, EP, JLi, THo, AW, JGA