COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION



FISCAL NOTE



L.R. NO. 3819-01

BILL NO. SB 844

SUBJECT: Crimes and Punishment; Registered Sex Offenders.

TYPE: Original

DATE: February 1, 2000




FISCAL SUMMARY


ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003
General Revenue Fund (Exceeds $100,000) (Exceeds $100,000) (Exceeds $100,000)
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

State Funds

(Exceeds $100,000) (Exceeds $100,000) (Exceeds $100,000)



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003
None
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

Federal Funds

$0 $0 $0



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
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.



FISCAL ANALYSIS



ASSUMPTION



Officials from the Department of Corrections (DOC) assume the costs of risk assessments for sex offenders range from an estimate of approximately $215 to $415, depending on whether hourly staff conduct these assessments or whether the service is contracted out. Sex offender cases that were open to probation accounted for 653 persons in calendar year 1998 and 738 persons in 1999. There is an average of 457 sex offenders released from DOC prisons per year.



Costs that may be associated with a multi-discipline committee are daily per-diem expenses for committee members on meeting days; potential costs for meeting rooms; and costs associated with publication of Notice Guidelines. There may be additional unknown costs associated with victim notification . In summary, the potential cost for the DOC is a substantial amount or one that could exceed $100,000 per year.



Oversight assumes the proposed legislation would require the Department of Public Safety to disclose information upon request to the public regarding high-risk sex offenders. However, Oversight assumes this will have minimal impact on DPS.



Officials from the Department of Social Services, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Mental Health, and the Department of Health assume the proposed legislation would have no fiscal impact on their agencies.





FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003

(10 Mo.)

GENERAL REVENUE

(Exceeds (Exceeds (Exceeds

Costs - Department of Corrections $100,000) $100,000) $100,000)



FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003

(10 Mo.)



0 0 0



FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business



The proposal could affect the liability of independent contractors acting at the direction of the agencies outlined in the proposal.



DESCRIPTION



The proposed legislation would allow community notification regarding certain registered sex offenders. The proposal provides immunity for release of information by law enforcement, and by employees of the Departments of Corrections, Public Safety, and Social Services. The Department of Corrections shall assess the person who must register at least ninety days prior to the offender's release, based on the basis of risk to commit offenses requiring registration. The act tailors the extent of any community notification to the assessment results.



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

Department of Public Safety

Department of Social Services

Department of Mental Health

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Department of Health





NOT RESPONDING: St. Louis City Sheriff, St. Louis County Sheriff, Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners, Miller County Sheriff











Jeanne Jarrett, CPA

Director

February 1, 2000