FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 15, 2026
Time Requested: 04:25 PM |
| Agency: |
Human Services, WV Department of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 1981 |
Comm. Sub. |
HB4354 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Health |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
8722 - Cons Federal Funds Div Human Services Gen Admn Fd; 0489 - BSS Foster Care
Sources of Revenue:
Other Fund Federal
Legislation creates:
Increases Existing Expenses
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The purpose of this bill is to set forth requirements for foster child clothing allowances.
The Department anticipates a potential fiscal impact from this bill if the amounts are increased making the current cap of $375 the new floor of $375. Assumptions for incremental increases were utilized for calculation purposes. The Department estimates a cost of $204,337 ($82,460 federal share/$121,877 state share based on the latest penetration rate) to make the lowest clothing allowance $375 for all children, with an anticipated cost of $444,437 ($179,352 federal share/$265,085 state share) if an incremental increase of $100 over the $375 were applied for all children.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2026
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2027
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
444,437 |
444,437 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
444,437 |
444,437 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
During State Fiscal Year 2025, the Bureau for Social Services expended $696,038 for clothing to 2,401 children in state custody using the current policy of spending up to $375 on initial allowance and up to $175 for supplemental. The supplemental amount is related to children in residential placement related to weight gain or loss due to medication adjustments. This amount does not reflect if the Initial clothing payment utilized was less than $375.00 or supplemental clothing allowance was less than $175.00.
With the prior cap being $375 and the revised floor being $375, if the Department were to provide the flat $375 (and total allowance was utilized), additional cost could increase from $696,038 to $900,375 (2,401 children x $375); for an estimated impact of $204,337.
With the prior cap being $375 and the revised floor being $375, if the Department were to provide an additional $50.00 above the $375, additional cost could increase from $696,038 to $1,020,425 (2,401 children x $425); for an estimated impact of $324,387.
If the Department provided an additional $100.00 above the $375, additional cost could increase from $696,038 to $1,140,475.00 (2,401 children x $475); for an estimated impact of $444,437.
Memorandum
The Department's Bureau for Social Services current guidelines sets a cap of $375 for initial clothing allowance and $175 for supplemental clothing allowances.
The policy can be located at the following web address: https://bss.wv.gov/media/20980/download?inline under Section 3.3 (page 103) of the policy.
49-13-104 (d)(1) The instant card shall be issued to the placement provider or re-loaded with funding within 48 hours of the child being placed with the placement provider. The Department is currently certain if an instant card can be re-loaded, therefore may only have option to issue new card.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Alex J Mayer, Cabinet Secretary
Email Address: OSAfiscalnotes@wv.gov