Honorable Larry Taylor, Chair, Senate Committee on Education
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB2039 by Zaffirini (Relating to the development of a program and training for public schools on the prevention of sexual abuse and sex trafficking and participation by the human trafficking prevention task force in that development.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB2039, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($219,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2019.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2018
($211,000)
2019
($8,000)
2020
($8,000)
2021
($8,000)
2022
($8,000)
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2018
($211,000)
2019
($8,000)
2020
($8,000)
2021
($8,000)
2022
($8,000)
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Education Code to require the commissioner, in cooperation with the Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force, to develop a sexual abuse and sex trafficking program that a school district may use in the district health curriculum. In addition, the bill would require school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt and implement policies on sex trafficking, including prevention training and a referral protocol, to be included in district improvement plans. The bill would permit districts and charter schools to collaborate with local law enforcement and outside consultants to develop policies and create a referral protocol.
Methodology
The bill would result in costs of $211,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $8,000 in fiscal year 2019, for a biennial total of $219,000. These estimates include $195,000 in fiscal year 2018 for technical development of an online sex trafficking prevention program, including costs for interactives, video materials, focus group review, web hosting, and delivery and distribution of the program. It is anticipated that ongoing operating expenses associated with updating rules and resources and maintaining the online materials would be approximately $16,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $8,000 in each fiscal year thereafter.
It is anticipated that the sexual abuse and sex trafficking curriculum required by the bill would be developed by the Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force created under Chapter 402 of the Government Code. Costs reflected above could be collaboratively assumed by all members of the task force, as the bill requires their cooperation with the Commissioner of Education.
It is assumed that all other duties and responsibilities associated with the bill, including program support and updating rules and resources, could be absorbed by existing staff and resources, based on information provided by the Texas Education Agency, Office of Court Administration, Governor's Office Trusteed Programs, Office of the Attorney General, Texas Workforce Commission, Department of Public Safety, Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Health and Human Services Commission, Department of Family and Protective Services, Juvenile Justice Department, Department of Criminal Justice, and Parks and Wildlife Department.
Local Government Impact
The bill would require school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt policies on sexual trafficking. The fiscal impact would depend on the policies adopted, but it is assumed that costs would be minimal and could be absorbed by existing staff and resources.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 300 Trusteed Programs Within the Office of the Governor, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 320 Texas Workforce Commission, 405 Department of Public Safety, 458 Alcoholic Beverage Commission, 529 Health and Human Services Commission, 530 Family and Protective Services, Department of, 644 Juvenile Justice Department, 696 Department of Criminal Justice, 701 Texas Education Agency, 802 Parks and Wildlife Department