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

 

 

 

SPONSOR

Pinto

DATE TYPED

2/11/04

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE

Counseling for Navajo Women & Families

SB

550

 

 

ANALYST

Dunbar

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY04

FY05

FY04

FY05

 

$125.0

 

 

Recurring

General Fund

 

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

 

Responses Received From

Office of Indian Affairs (OIA)

 

SUMMARY

 

Synopsis of Bill

 

 Senate Bill 550 appropriates $125,000 from the General Fund in Fiscal Year 05 to the Office of Indian Affairs for the purpose of providing counseling services for Navajo women and their families.

 

Significant Issues

 

According to a 1993 report by the U.S. Census, only 6 in 10 American Indian couples were married compared to the nation’s 8 in 10 .  The proportion of American Indian families maintained by a female householder without a husband was also considerably larger than the national figure.

 

 According to a report by Harvard University, the rate of crime victimization experienced by Indian women is 50% higher than that reported by black females. OIA reports that the Navajo Nation has provided limited services for Navajo women and families related to domestic violence through their Office of Navajo Women.  Some non-profits who work with the Navajo Nation have also supplemented those services provided by the Office of Navajo Women. 

 

 

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $125.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the General Fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY 05 shall revert to the General Fund.

 

TECHNICAL ISSUES

 

The bill does not specify what type of counseling services would be provided to Navajo women and their families with the appropriations.  The OIA is assuming that it would be related to issues of domestic violence. 

 

BD/dm