LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 6, 2021 TO: 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 division of the ombudsman for children and youth in foster care.), As Introduced Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1628, As Introduced : a negative impact of ($2,211,282) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact toGeneral Revenue Related Funds2022($1,544,760)2023($666,522)2024($667,419)2025($668,342)2026($669,296)All Funds, Five-Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) fromGeneral Revenue Fund1 Change in Number of State Employees from FY 20212022($1,544,760)5.12023($666,522)5.12024($667,419)5.12025($668,342)5.12026($669,296)5.1 Fiscal AnalysisThe bill would require the Division of Ombudsman for Children and Youth in Foster Care to receive complaints from persons, child-placing agencies, homes and operations providing foster care services for children and youth. LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 6, 2021 TO: 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 division of the ombudsman for children and youth in foster care.), As Introduced TO: 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 division of the ombudsman for children and youth in foster care.), As Introduced Honorable Lois W. Kolkhorst, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Honorable Lois W. Kolkhorst, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board SB1628 by Miles (Relating to the authority of the division of the ombudsman for children and youth in foster care.), As Introduced SB1628 by Miles (Relating to the authority of the division of the ombudsman for children and youth in foster care.), As Introduced Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1628, As Introduced : a negative impact of ($2,211,282) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1628, As Introduced : a negative impact of ($2,211,282) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact: 2022 ($1,544,760) 2023 ($666,522) 2024 ($667,419) 2025 ($668,342) 2026 ($669,296) All Funds, Five-Year Impact: 2022 ($1,544,760) 5.1 2023 ($666,522) 5.1 2024 ($667,419) 5.1 2025 ($668,342) 5.1 2026 ($669,296) 5.1 Fiscal Analysis The bill would require the Division of Ombudsman for Children and Youth in Foster Care to receive complaints from persons, child-placing agencies, homes and operations providing foster care services for children and youth. Methodology According to information provided by HHSC, 3.0 Ombudsman III full-time equivalents (FTEs), 1.0 Ombudsman V FTE, and 1.1 Program Specialist FTEs would be needed to assist the Division with functions such as case tracking, reporting and quality assurance to resolve complaints received from persons, child-placing agencies, home and operations providing foster care services. The total estimated cost in General Revenue to hire 5.1 FTEs would be $0.6 million in fiscal year 2022, and $0.5 million in fiscal years 2023 through 2026.Additionally, there would be costs for other Article II agencies related to the system support services provided by HHSC. Estimated costs for the Department of Family and Protectives Services and the Department of State Health Services would be $0.5 million in General Revenue in fiscal year 2022, and $75,427 in fiscal years 2023 through 2026.According to the Department of Family Protective Services, any costs related to redirecting specific complaints from foster parents to the Ombudsman could be accomplished within existing resources. According to the Department of Family Protective Services, any costs related to redirecting specific complaints from foster parents to the Ombudsman could be accomplished within existing resources. Technology HHSC indicates there would be costs related to system upgrades to the Health and Human Services Enterprise Administrative Report and Tracking (HEART) system, training and supplies for IT staff, seat management services, and basic data storage. The total estimated cost would be $0.5 million in fiscal year 2022 and $89,019 in fiscal years 2023 through 2026. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: b > td > 529 Hlth & Human Svcs Comm, 530 Family & Protective Services 529 Hlth & Human Svcs Comm, 530 Family & Protective Services LBB Staff: b > td > JMc, AKI, JLI JMc, AKI, JLI