FOSTER CARE IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION                              H.B. 5801 (S-1):

                                                                                         SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                         REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 5801 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Representative Bronna Kahle

House Committee:  Families, Children and Seniors

Senate Committee:  Health Policy and Human Services

CONTENT

The bill would enact the "Foster Care Improvement Commission Act" to do the following:

-- Create the "Foster Care Improvement Commission" within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and prescribe its membership.

-- Prescribe the Commission's duties, which would include facilitating coordination across the three branches of State government and continuous and consistent leadership in the child protection area to ensure progress and improvement effects were not hindered by changes in leadership in any branch; creating advisory panels to provide insight and recommendations for improvements to the child welfare system; and overseeing a resource mapping of all Federal- and State-funded programs serving youth.

-- Allow the Commission to raise money to carry out the Act's provisions.

-- Create the "Children's Services Commission Fund" in the State Treasury and require the DHHS to spend money from the Fund only to carry out the Act's provisions.

                                                           Legislative Analyst:  Stephen P. Jackson

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill would create the Foster Care Improvement Commission within the DHHS. Commission members would not receive a salary but would be eligible for reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as Commission members. Reimbursement costs, based on other similar commissions and committees, average less than $50,000 annually.

The Commission could select a director who would have to report to the Commission. The bill does not specify how the Commission would determine a salary for the director or if a salary would be paid. The Commission also could hire any additional staff it deemed necessary.  Based on fiscal year 2021-22 data, the current estimated average annual cost for 1.0 FTE for a classified State employee is $135,500 gross, $73,200 General Fund/General Purpose for salary and benefits. 

The Department of Treasury would experience minor administrative costs to create and administer the Children’s Services Commission Fund. These costs would be minor and within current appropriation.

Date Completed:  6-29-22                                  Fiscal Analyst:  Ellyn Ackerman

                                                                                           Cory Savino, PhD

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.