COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. No.: 2911-01
Bill No.: SB 817
Subject: Boards, Commissions, Committees, Councils; Economic Development Dept.; Licenses - Professional; Psychologists
Type: Original
Date: January 15, 2004
FISCAL SUMMARY
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2005 | FY 2006 | FY 2007 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on General Revenue Fund |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2005 | FY 2006 | FY 2007 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All State Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.
This fiscal note contains 5 pages.
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2005 | FY 2006 | FY 2007 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All Federal Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2005 | FY 2006 | FY 2007 |
| Local Government | $0 | $0 | $0 |
ASSUMPTION
Officials from the Office of the Governor, Department of Economic Development - Division of Professional Registration, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Revenue, Department of Social Services, Department of Public Safety (DPS) - Missouri State Highway Patrol, DPS - Capitol Police, Department of Mental Health, Office of State Public Defender, Department of Insurance, Missouri Senate, Office of State Treasurer and Office of State Courts Administrator assume the proposal would have no fiscal impact on their organizations.
Officials from the Department of Health and Senior Services (DOH) state the proposal would not be expected to fiscally impact the operations of the DOH. If a fiscal impact were to result, funds to support the program would be sought through the appropriations process.
Officials from the Office of Administration - Administrative Hearings Commission anticipate the proposal will not significantly alter its caseload. However, if other similar bills pass, if there are more cases or the cases are more complex, there could be a fiscal impact.
Officials from the Office of Prosecution Services assume any costs associated with the proposal could be absorbed within current funding levels.
ASSUMPTION (continued)
Officials from the Office of Attorney General (AGO) assume the proposal would require representation of the new board. The AGO assumes this would require 0.5 FTE, Assistant Attorney General I. The AGO assumes personal service costs and equipment and expense costs of $35,802 in FY 05; $34,728 in FY 06; and $35,657 in FY 07.
Oversight assumes the AGO will be reimbursed for services from the Board of Counselors and Therapists Fund relating to representation provided to the board.
Officials from the Office of the Secretary of State (SOS) state this proposal creates the Board of Counselors and Therapists. The Division of Professional Registration, on behalf of the Board of Counselors and Therapists, could promulgate rules to enact this legislation. Based on experience with other divisions, the rules, regulations and forms issued by the Division of Professional Registration could require as many as 18 pages in the Code of State Regulations. For any given rule, roughly one-half again as many pages are published in the Missouri Register as are published in the Code because cost statements, fiscal notes and notices are not published in the Code. The estimated cost of a page in the Missouri Register is $23.00. The estimated cost of a page in the Code of State Regulations is $27.00. The actual costs could be more or less than the numbers given. The fiscal impact of this legislation in future years is unknown and depends upon the frequency and length of rules filed, amended, rescinded and withdrawn. The SOS estimates the cost of this legislation to be $1,107 [(18 pp x $27) + (27 pp x $23)].
Oversight assumes the SOS could absorb the costs of printing and distributing regulations related to this proposal. If multiple bills pass which require the printing and distribution of regulations at substantial costs, the SOS could request funding through the appropriation process. Any decisions to raise fees to defray costs would likely be made in subsequent fiscal years.
| FISCAL IMPACT - State Government | FY 2005
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2006 | FY 2007 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government | FY 2005
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2006 | FY 2007 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
The proposal would be expected to fiscally impact small businesses who employ therapists.
DESCRIPTION
This proposal regulates the licensure and registration of marital and family therapists and counselors.
The proposal creates the Board of Counselors and Therapists, which shall consist of nine members to be appointed by the Governor. The proposal abolishes the State Committee of Marital and Family Therapists and the Committee for Professional Counselors and merges their duties into the Board of Counselors and Therapists.
Communications made to licensed professional counselors and licensed marital and family therapists shall be considered privileged. The Board shall have the authority to issue subpoenas and require production of documents and records.
The proposal sets forth educational and examination requirements to be licensed as a marital and family therapist or a professional counselor. The Board may issue temporary permits for extenuating circumstances.
Anyone violating the provisions of Sections 337.400 to 337.430 and Sections 337.505 to 337.540 will be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
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
Office of Attorney General
Office of the Governor
Office of Administration -
Administrative Hearings Commission
Office of State Courts Administrator
Department of Economic Development -
Division of Professional Registration
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Department of Mental Health
Department of Health and Senior Services
Department of Revenue
Department of Social Services
Department of Public Safety -
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Capitol Police
Department of Insurance
Office of Prosecution Services
Missouri Senate
Office of Secretary of State
Office of State Public Defender
Office of State Treasurer
Mickey Wilson, CPA
Director
January 15, 2004