Honorable James B. Frank, Chair, House Committee on Human Services
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB94 by Minjarez (Relating to the receipt by certain relative caretakers of dependent children of supplemental financial assistance and the assignment of those relative caretakers as protective payees for financial assistance payments; providing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would expand eligibility for one-time cash assistance payments to include aunts, uncles, or siblings over the age of 25 years who are caretakers of a dependent child and who meet certain financial qualifications, and would permit such individuals to be named protective payee to receive and manage assistance payments. It is assumed the number of new recipients would be small and any cost to implement the provisions of the bill can be absorbed within available resources.
Based on analysis by the Office of the Attorney General, the provisions of the bill relating to supplemental financial assistance payments may result in an increase in fraud referrals and investigations. While an increase in referrals would require additional staff resources, it is assumed that increased fraud investigations could be accomplished within existing agency resources.
Local Government Impact
A Class C misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $500. In addition to the fine, punishment can include up to 180 days of deferred disposition. A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days, or both. A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal implication.
Source Agencies:
302 Office of the Attorney General, 529 Health and Human Services Commission