OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS Legislative Office Building, Room 5200 Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 240-0200 http://www.cga.ct.gov/ofa sHB-5241 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A BUREAU COORDINATING SERVICES FOR DEAF, HARD OF HEARING OR DEAFBLIND PERSONS. Primary Analyst: JP 4/3/24 Contributing Analyst(s): Reviewer: RW OFA Fiscal Note State Impact: Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 25 $ FY 26 $ Aging and Disability Services, Dept. GF - Cost 328,156 323,956 State Comptroller - Fringe Benefits 1 GF - Cost 119,162 119,162 Note: GF=General Fund Municipal Impact: None Explanation The bill establishes a Bureau of Services for Persons Who Are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deafblind within the Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS). It is anticipated that ADS will incur costs of $316,156 beginning in FY 25, to hire an executive director, an administrative assistant for the director, and two interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing (one full-time position and one part-time position) to carry out the provisions contained in the bill. The Office of the State Comptroller will also incur costs of $119,162 in fringe benefits related to the new positions. There is an estimated cost to ADS of $12,000 associated with equipment and other expenses related to the Bureau and its operations. 1 The fringe benefit costs for most state employees are budgeted centrally in accounts administered by the Comptroller. The estimated active employee fringe benefit cost associated with most personnel changes is 41.25% of payroll in FY 25. 2024HB-05241-R000269-FN.DOCX Page 2 of 2 This includes a one-time cost of $4,200, and ongoing costs of $7,800. The bill also creates an Advisory Board for Persons Who Are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deafblind. There are no costs associated with the creation of this board. The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation.