This Fiscal Note is not an official copy and should not be quoted or cited.
Fiscal Note - SB 0384 - Penalizes inmates for filing frivolous complaints against doctors and nurses
SB 384 - Fiscal Note

COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION

FISCAL NOTE

L.R. NO.: 1688-01

BILL NO.: SB 384

SUBJECT: Prisons and Jails; Probation and Parole; Physicians; Nurses; Economic Development Department; Administrative Law; Boards, Commissions

TYPE: Original

DATE: February 15, 1999


FISCAL SUMMARY

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS

FUND AFFECTED FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002
None
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

State Funds

$0 $0 $0



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS

FUND AFFECTED FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002
None
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

Federal Funds

$0 $0 $0



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS

FUND AFFECTED FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002
Local Government $0 $0 $0

Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses

This fiscal note contains 3 pages.

FISCAL ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTION

Officials of the Department of Corrections (DOC) assume this proposal would penalize inmates for filing frivolous complaints against doctors and nurses. As it relates to the DOC, similar procedures are already in practice within the department. This proposal would enhance the criteria for enforcing this procedure. Supervision by the DOC through setting back an offender's parole hearing by 60 days could result in some additional costs but DOC officials assume that the impact would be $0 or a minimal amount which could be absorbed.

DOC officials assume that the ten year fiscal impact would be unknown, but assumed to be $0 or minimal per year.

Oversight assumes this proposal would not fiscally impact Office of the Attorney General, Department of Economic Development - Professional Registration, or the Administrative Hearing Commission.



FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002
(10 Mo.)
0 0 0
FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002
(10 Mo.)
0 0 0
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.






DESCRIPTION

This proposal would provide penalties for inmates filing a false, frivolous or malicious complaint, or one filed for the purpose of harassment, against a licensed physician or nurse. The penalties, an additional sixty days before being eligible for parole or a fine up to half the offender's prison account, are the same as those for filing such claims in court.

This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Department of Corrections



NOT RESPONDING - Office of the Attorney General, Department of Economic Development, Administrative Hearing Commission





Jeanne Jarrett, CPA

Director

February 15, 1999