COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. No.: 2830-02
Bill No.: SB 828
Subject: Family Services Division: Children and Minors
Type: Original
Date: February 4, 2002
FISCAL SUMMARY
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2003 | FY 2004 | FY 2005 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All State Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2003 | FY 2004 | FY 2005 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All Federal Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2003 | FY 2004 | FY 2005 |
| Local Government | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.
This fiscal note contains 3 pages.
ASSUMPTION
This bill would establish rights and responsibilities of foster parents. Based on experience with other divisions, the rules, regulations and forms issued by the Division of Family Services could require as many as thirty-six pages in the Code of State Regulations. For any given rule, roughly half again as many pages are published in Missouri Register as in the Code because cost estimates and fiscal notes are not repeated in the Code. The estimated cost of a page in the Missouri Register is $23. The estimated cost of a page in the Code of State Regulations is $27. The estimated cost of publication in FY 2003 for this proposal is $2,214. Actual cost could be more or less and costs in future years would depend upon frequency and length of rules filed, amended, rescinded or withdrawn.
This proposal alone would not require the Secretary of State to hire additional personnel; however, the cumulative effect of several bills requiring rulemaking activity could require additional resources.
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.
Officials of Department of Social Services' Division of Family Services stated that its Foster Parent Bill of Rights sets out as current goals the aims of this proposal; therefore, they would not expect additional costs due to this proposal.
| FISCAL IMPACT - State Government | FY 2003
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2004 | FY 2005 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government | FY 2003
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2004 | FY 2005 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small business would be expected as a result of this proposal.
DESCRIPTION
This proposal would establish rights and responsibilities of the Division of Family Services and foster parents. Rights and duties would include treatment of parents and children, clear explanation of the foster parent's role, training and support for foster parents, pre-placement visits and sharing information about the child, participation in case management of the child, notification of court hearings, communication with professionals, decision-making authority, ability to request removal of a child in certain cases, preference of foster parents as permanent parents, providing of twenty-four hour assistance, timely reimbursement and confidentiality.
The proposal would also note a foster parent's right to be free from reprisal. The Department of Social Services would be prohibited from retaliating against a foster parent in certain circumstances.
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 Revenue.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Department of Social Services
Secretary of State
Mickey Wilson, CPA
Acting Director
February 4, 2002