Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports if they are used for other purposes.

 

Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are available on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us).  Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not.  Previously issued FIRs and attachments may also 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

Boykin

DATE TYPED

01/26/04

HB

15

 

SHORT TITLE

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Services

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST

Maloy

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY04

FY05

FY04

FY05

 

$72.0

 

 

Recurring

General Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

Duplicates SB 26.

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

LFC Files

 

Responses Received From

Children, Youth and Families Department

 

SUMMARY

 

Synopsis of Bill

 

House Bill 15 appropriates $72.0 thousand from the general fund to Children, Youth and Families for the purpose of providing services to grandparents raising grandchildren in Dona Ana County.

 

The services to be provided shall include:

 

  1. the opportunity to meet with a professional to aid in developing an action plan to address the child’s and grandparents’ needs;

 

  1. support in establishing the proper legal relationships;

 

  1. support in obtaining financial assistance when eligible;

 

  1.  access to mental and physical health services; and

 

  1. support in obtaining after-school care, transportation and tutoring.

 

“Grandparent caregiver” is defined as a grandparent or great-grandparent who lives in the same household and is the primary caregiver for one or more of their own grandchildren or great-grandchildren.

 

Significant Issues

 

With House Bill 15, grandparent caregivers in Dona Ana County will receive a benefit that grandparent caregivers throughout the entire state want and need. 

 

According to CYFD,

 

1. The bill does not establish eligibility criteria for a grandparent caregiver in Dona Ana County. 

 

2. CYFD currently provides services to families and children resulting from a report of abuse or neglect.  Familial relationships including grandparents are explored for possible out-of-home placement for children in CYFD custody.  A grandparent will be considered for placement if they can meet the needs of the child.  In these situations, CYFD currently provides several of the support services to the grandparent caregivers outlined in the bill. 

 

3. CYFD provides child care assistance to income eligible grandparents who have custody or guardianship of their grandchildren.  Grandparents are exempt from co-payments for child care assistance under current child care assistance regulations.  Child care assistance may be used for after-school child care.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $72.0 thousand contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

 

House Bill 15 will result in additional administrative costs to the agency, both in staff and materials.

 

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

 

  1. What would the cost be for supporting such services throughout the state?

 

SM/prr:yr