LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 17, 2017 TO: Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB907 by Birdwell (Relating to the definition of the least restrictive environment for the placement of children in foster care.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. This legislation will not take effect in the absence of a specific appropriation for its implementation by the 85th Legislature. The bill would amend the Family Code relating to the definition of the least restrictive environment for the placement of children in foster care.According to the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), while the duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources, implementation of these provisions could result in the loss of existing federal funds.Current federal law under the Social Security Act, Title IV-E, Sec 675(5)(A), established a specific definition for "least restrictive environment" for the placement of children in foster care. If the federal government considers DFPS to be out of compliance with this federal regulation, DFPS could potentially put at risk up to $1.3 billion in existing Title IV-E and TANF federal funding. To the extent the state chose to replace any lost funds with General Revenue, there would be a cost to the state. The bill would take effect September 1, 2017, only if a specific appropriation for implementation is provided in a general appropriation act of the 85th Legislature. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies:530 Family and Protective Services, Department of LBB Staff: UP, KCA, EP, JLi
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
April 17, 2017
TO: Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB907 by Birdwell (Relating to the definition of the least restrictive environment for the placement of children in foster care.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
TO: Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: SB907 by Birdwell (Relating to the definition of the least restrictive environment for the placement of children in foster care.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
SB907 by Birdwell (Relating to the definition of the least restrictive environment for the placement of children in foster care.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
SB907 by Birdwell (Relating to the definition of the least restrictive environment for the placement of children in foster care.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. This legislation will not take effect in the absence of a specific appropriation for its implementation by the 85th Legislature.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. This legislation will not take effect in the absence of a specific appropriation for its implementation by the 85th Legislature.
The bill would amend the Family Code relating to the definition of the least restrictive environment for the placement of children in foster care.According to the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), while the duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources, implementation of these provisions could result in the loss of existing federal funds.Current federal law under the Social Security Act, Title IV-E, Sec 675(5)(A), established a specific definition for "least restrictive environment" for the placement of children in foster care. If the federal government considers DFPS to be out of compliance with this federal regulation, DFPS could potentially put at risk up to $1.3 billion in existing Title IV-E and TANF federal funding. To the extent the state chose to replace any lost funds with General Revenue, there would be a cost to the state. The bill would take effect September 1, 2017, only if a specific appropriation for implementation is provided in a general appropriation act of the 85th Legislature.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies: 530 Family and Protective Services, Department of
530 Family and Protective Services, Department of
LBB Staff: UP, KCA, EP, JLi
UP, KCA, EP, JLi