Expanding the circumstances for a criminal offense is expected to result in additional demands on the correctional resources of the State. The probable fiscal impact of implementing the bill is indeterminate due to the lack of data that would identify cases involving puberty suppression prescription drug or cross-sex hormone or surgery for the purpose of child gender transitioning or reassignment as outlined in the provisions of the bill. These data are necessary to determine those cases, in which it is presumed a person engaged in conduct that places a child in imminent danger, from all other cases.
The bill would amend various codes as they relate to child abuse and abandoning or endangering a child. Under the provisions of the bill, the definition of abuse would be modified and the circumstances for the offense of abandoning or endangering a child would be expanded to include a person who involves puberty suppression prescription drugs, cross-sex hormones, or surgery for the purpose of child gender transitioning or reassignment as outlined in the bill.
Expanding the circumstances for a criminal offense is expected to result in additional demands on the correctional resources of the counties and of the State due to an increase in individuals placed under supervision in the community or sentenced to terms of confinement within state correctional institutions. Whether the bill would have a significant fiscal impact is indeterminate due to the lack of data that would allow those cases, in which the actor involved certain prescription drugs, hormones, or surgery for a child for the purpose of gender transitioning or reassignment, to be isolated from all other cases.
The Office of Court Administration indicates the modifications outlined in the bill's provisions would not result in a significant fiscal impact.