COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. NO.: 3148-07
BILL NO.: HCS for SB 788
SUBJECT: Administration; State Employees; Hospitals
TYPE: Original
DATE: April 27, 2000
FISCAL SUMMARY
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2001 | FY 2002 | FY 2003 |
| None | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All State Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2001 | FY 2002 | FY 2003 |
| None | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All Federal Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2001 | FY 2002 | FY 2003 |
| Local Government | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.
This fiscal note contains 3 pages.
ASSUMPTION
Officials from the Office of Attorney General (AGO), Office of State Courts Administrator (CTS), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Social Services (DOS), Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan (HCP), Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), and the Department of Public Safety - Missouri State Highway Patrol (DPS-MHP) assume this proposal would not fiscally impact their agencies.
In similar previous proposals, officials from the Office of the State Auditor (SAU), Department of Transportation (DHT) and the Department of Economic Development - Division of Professional Registration (DED-DPR) assumed this proposal would not fiscally impact their agencies.
Department of Health (DOH) officials state the annual review of complaints will be performed as part of the annual survey. This legislation is not expected to impact the workload of the division beyond what it is already doing.
In a similar previous proposal, Department of Insurance (INS) officials anticipated current appropriations and staff would be able to absorb the work for implementation of this proposal. However, if additional proposals are approved during the legislative session, INS may need to request an increase in appropriations due to the combined effect of multiple proposals.
| FISCAL IMPACT - State Government | FY 2001
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2002 | FY 2003 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government | FY 2001
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2002 | FY 2003 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses is expected as a result of this proposal.
DESCRIPTION
This act amends the law relating to "whistleblowing" by state employees. Current law prohibits agencies from disciplining employees for disclosing mismanagement, waste of funds and abuse of authority but allows discipline if the employee releases information with reckless disregard for its truth or falsity. This act allows discipline only if the employee knows that the information is false. The act also provides that agencies cannot prohibit employees from contacting the State Auditor.
This bill provides "whistleblower" protections by requiring hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers licensed by the Department of Health to implement a written policy regarding employees who report facility mismanagement or violations of applicable laws related to patient care, safety, and related issues. This whistleblowing provision of the proposal would be effective January 1, 2001.
This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space. This legislation would not affect Total State Revenues.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Office of Attorney General
Office of State Courts Administrator
Department of Natural Resources
Department of Social Services
Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan
Missouri Department of Conservation
Department of Public Safety
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Office of the State Auditor
Department of Transportation
Department of Economic Development
Division of Professional Registration
Department of Health
Department of Insurance
Jeanne Jarrett, CPA
Director
April 27, 2000