NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used for other purposes.

 

The most recent FIR version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative Website.  The Adobe PDF version includes all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not.  Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

 

 

F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Lopez

 

DATE TYPED:

02/28/03

 

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE:

Child Abuse and Neglect Citizen Review Boards

 

SB

363

 

 

ANALYST:

Hayes

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

$105.0

 

 

Recurring

General Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

Senate Bill 363 appropriates $105.0 from the general fund to the Administrative Office of the Courts for the purpose of supporting the Child Abuse and Neglect Citizen Review Board statewide, including its responsibilities for victims of child sexual assault.

 

     Significant Issues

 

  1. The Child Abuse and Neglect Citizen Review Board is statutorily created under the Children’s Code.  Its responsibility is to review all active child abuse and neglect cases in the state.  Each county has established a local-level board who, in turn, report to or are responsive to the main Child Abuse and Neglect Citizen Review Board.  

 

  1. Since these are volunteers, non-affiliated with the executive or the judiciary, they maintain objectivity and function as an independent voice in child abuse cases.

 

  1. Apart from its review, the Child Abuse and Neglect Citizen Review Board provides data collection, compiles a legislative report and also prepares quarterly reports which outline various problems and issues.

 

  1. The AOC does not currently oversee or provide administrative support for Child Abuse and Neglect Citizen Review Board.  Funding for the operation of the board is currently appropriated to the Department of Finance and Administration.  It is unclear why funding is being directed to the AOC in FY04.  Since this $105.0 is not part of the unified budget request, the Administrative Office of the Courts stated in its analysis that it does not support the request being appropriated to AOC.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $105.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.  Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2004 shall revert to the general fund.

 

TECHNICAL ISSUES

 

If funding to support the Citizen Review Board statewide program is appropriated to the AOC, the enactment of this legislation would create additional administrative procedures and oversight responsibilities for the AOC according to its management staff.  Therefore, it is suggested that SB 363 be amended to name the recipient of the appropriation as the Department of Finance and Administration, not AOC.

 

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

 

  1. Since volunteers comprise the Citizen Review Board, what will the $105.0 funding be used for?  Does the board receive other funding?  From what sources?

 

  1. How many child abuse and neglect cases did the board review last year?

 

CMH/njw/ls