COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. No.: 0520-05
Bill No.: Perfected SCS #2 for SB 66
Subject: Protects parents when relinquishing custody of newborn to medical facility.
Type: Original
Date: April 25, 2001
FISCAL SUMMARY
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2002 | FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| General Revenue | ($5,776) | ($5,949) | ($6,127) |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All State Funds |
($5,776) | ($5,949) | ($6,127) |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2002 | FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| Federal | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All Federal Funds* |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
* Revenues and expenditures to exceed $2,000 annually net to $0.
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2002 | FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| Local Government | (Unknown) | (Unknown) | (Unknown) |
Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.
This fiscal note contains 4 pages.
ASSUMPTION
Officials from the Department of Health (DOH) and Office of State Courts Administrator (CTS) assume the proposed legislation would not fiscally impact their organizations.
Officials from the Office of Attorney General (AGO) did not respond to our request for a fiscal impact statement. However, in a statement provided for similar legislation proposed during the current session, the AGO officials assumed the legislation would not fiscally impact their organization.
Officials from the Department of Social Services - Division of Family Services (DOS -DFS) stated the proposed legislation would fiscally impact their organization due to the long term need to inform the public, especially women of child rearing years. The DFS would need additional funding to cover costs of producing, publishing, and broadcasting this legislated information on a regular basis. The cost of printing 85,000 brochures pertaining to SB 66 would be $4,760. The mailing cost for the 85,000 brochures would be $2,975.
The DFS would distribute materials to doctor's offices, health clinics, WIC offices, all county offices (i.e., DFS, DOH, Department of Mental Health), college/university campuses, and professional associations (i.e., National Association of Social Workers, National Association of Pediatricians) across the state.
In a previous version of the proposed legislation, officials from the Cooper County Memorial Hospital stated that without knowing who would pay medical costs for the child and what those costs would be, potential costs are unknown.
| FISCAL IMPACT - State Government | FY 2002
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| GENERAL REVENUE FUND | |||
| Costs - Department of Social Services | |||
| Pamphlets/ Brochures | ($5,776) | ($5,949) | ($6,127) |
| Total Costs - Department of Social Services |
($5,776) |
($5,949) |
($6,127) |
| ESTIMATED EFFECT ON | |||
| GENERAL REVENUE FUND | ($5,776) | ($5,949) | ($6,127) |
| FISCAL IMPACT - State Government | FY 2002
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| FEDERAL FUNDS | |||
| Income - Department of Social Services | |||
| Pamphlets/ Brochures | $1,959 | $2,018 | $2,079 |
| Costs - Department of Social Services | |||
| Pamphlets/ Brochures | ($1,959) | ($2,018) | ($2,079) |
| Total Costs - Department of Social Services |
($1,959) |
($2,018) |
($2,079) |
| ESTIMATED EFFECT ON | |||
| FEDERAL FUNDS | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government | FY 2002
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS | |||
| Hospital - Treatment Costs | (Unknown) | (Unknown) | (Unknown) |
| ESTIMATED EFFECT ON | |||
| LOCAL GOVERNMENT | (Unknown) | (Unknown) | (Unknown) |
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.
DESCRIPTION
This proposal, known as the "Safe Newborns Act of 2001", would protect a parent from prosecution of abandonment, for leaving a newborn, who is 5 days old or younger and has not been physically abused, at a hospital. The hospital must treat the child, if necessary. The parent's voluntary delivery of the child in accordance with Section 210.950.3 shall constitute the parents implied consent that the parent does not intend to return for the child. The medical facility must contact the Division of Family Services, which would be required to take physical custody of the child within 6 hours of contact.
DESCRIPTION (continued)
The Division of Family Services must also provide information and answer questions about the process established by section 210.950 on the statewide, toll-free telephone number maintained pursuant to section 210.145, RSMo. In addition, it must provide information by way of pamphlets, brochures, or other ways to deliver information about the process established by this proposal.
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
Office of State Courts Administrator
NOT RESPONDING: Office of Attorney General
Jeanne Jarrett, CPA
Director
April 25, 2001