FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: March 03, 2021
Time Requested: 11:05 AM
Agency: Health and Human Resources, WV Department of
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
1402 Introduced HB2885
CBD Subject: Juveniles


FUND(S):

N/A

Sources of Revenue:

Other Fund N/A

Legislation creates:





Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


The purpose of this bill is to require persons having custody of a child in foster care to immediately notify the Department of Health and Human Resources of the occurrence of the death of the child; and requiring that the department notify the parents and legal guardians of the death. The Department estimates minimal fiscal impact relating to this legislation. Current Department policy related to the death of a child in foster care states that the child’s parents are to be notified immediately. The legislation notes two exceptions for notification, not currently addressed in policy; unless prohibited by court order, or unless the department determines in its sole discretion that the notification would place another child in immediate danger of harm or would be highly detrimental to the welfare of another child. These exceptions will need to be added to policy. Current policy related to notification to the child’s parents makes an exception for notification to parents in the event that parental rights have been terminated. This will need to be modified in policy, as this bill does not make exception regarding parental rights, stating notification should be made to biological parents, adoptive parents, or legal guardians immediately or as soon as reasonably possible. The only foreseeable fiscal impact would be the cost incurred or associated with using all reasonable diligent efforts to notify the parents, but that cannot be determined at this time.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2021
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2022
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 0 0
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
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):






Memorandum






    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Bill J. Crouch
    Email Address: Bill.J.Crouch@wv.gov