Honorable Lois W. Kolkhorst, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1628 by Miles (Relating to the authority of the Health and Human Service Commission's office of the ombudsman to resolve complaints against 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 Human Resources Code to require the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to develop and implement a uniform process for HHSC's Office of the Ombudsman to receive and resolve complaints against the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), starting on or after January 1, 2022. The bill would require the executive commissioner of HHSC to adopt any rules necessary no later than January 1, 2022.
Currently, DFPS's Office of Consumer Relations receives and resolves complaints against DFPS. According to information provided by HHSC and DFPS, DFPS would transfer 13.0 full-time equivalents (FTEs) and related costs to HHSC at a net neutral cost to the state. It is assumed any additional costs associated with transferring functions from DFPS could be absorbed using existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
529 Hlth & Human Svcs Comm, 530 Family & Protective Services