COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. NO.: 4166-01
BILL NO.: SB 905
SUBJECT: Children and Minors; Health Care; Health Department
TYPE: Original
DATE: February 17, 2000
FISCAL SUMMARY
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2001 | FY 2002 | FY 2003 |
| None | |||
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All State Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2001 | FY 2002 | FY 2003 |
| None | |||
| 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 4 pages.
ASSUMPTION
Officials from the Department of Social Services - Division of Medical Services (DMS) stated they were unable to determine the fiscal impact of the proposed legislation. DMS cannot determine the number of children who would not be immunized for philosophical beliefs. However, DMS assumes that the failure to immunize these children would result in costly treatment for the diseases that the immunizations were specifically intended to prevent.
Officials from the Department of Health (DOH) assume the proposal would result in no fiscal impact to the agency. They stated that about than one percent of school-age children claim exemptions for religious, medical, and philosophical beliefs.
Officials from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) assume the proposal would result in no fiscal impact to DESE or local public school districts.
Based on DOH's response, the Oversight Division has included no fiscal impact resulting from this legislation.
Office of Secretary of State (SOS) officials state the proposal would add philosophical beliefs to the reason that a parent could object to their child being immunized. SOS states that based on experience with other divisions, the rules, regulations, and forms issued by the Department of Health could require as many as approximately six pages in the "Code of State Regulations". SOS states that for any given rule roughly half again as many pages would be published in the "Missouri Register" as in the "Code" because cost statements, fiscal notes, and the like are not repeated in the "Code". SOS states these costs are estimated. SOS estimates the cost of a page in the "Missouri Register" to be $22.50. SOS estimates the cost of a page in the "Code" to be $26.50. Costs due to this proposal are estimated to be $214.50. SOS states the actual costs could be more or less than the numbers given. SOS states the impact of this proposal in future years in unknown and depends upon the frequency and length of rules, filed, amended, rescinded, or withdrawn. SOS states the proposal alone does not require additional personnel but the cumulative effect of other proposals that require rulemaking activity may, in the aggregate, necessitate additional staff.
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 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 would be expected as a result of this proposal.
DESCRIPTION
This proposal would allow parents to object to immunizations for their children based on philosophical beliefs. Currently, Section 167.181, RSMo, requires children to have certain
immunizations to attend school, but allows specific exemptions to be claimed in lieu of the immunizations. This proposal would require the Department of Health to inform the public of all available exemptions at the same time immunization schedules are made available. A new provision would also allow parents to claim "philosophical beliefs" as an exemption. If claimed, however, a notarized statement would be provided annually to the school administrator.
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 Social Services
Department of Health
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Office of Secretary of State
Jeanne Jarrett, CPA
Director
February 17, 2000