FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: February 10, 2016
Time Requested: 10:26 AM
Agency: Health and Human Resources, Department of
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
2138 Introduced SB377
CBD Subject: Human Services


FUND(S):

0403 - Div of Human Services General Administrative Fund

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


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


The purpose of this bill is to amend current code to: (1) Add the spouse of an indigent person as a possible individual who may be liable for the funeral service expenses of the indigent person; (2) reduce the maximum amount of what the DHHR pays for funeral service expenses from $1,250.00 to $1,000.00; (3) require certain financial information be provided regarding the deceased, heirs or heirs-at-law in order for a determination to be made regarding whether assets of the deceased and/or heirs or heirs-at-law are sufficient to pay the funeral service expenses of the indigent person; (4) limit the department's obligation to pay only 2,000 indigent funeral services in any state fiscal year; and, (5) limit or redefine funeral service expenses to mean expenses for cremation unless objectionable due to the decedent's religion or otherwise prohibited by federal law, state law or regulation. The current state appropriation for burials is $2,050,000. As the bill limits the payment for a burial to $1,000 with a maximum of 2,000 burials per year, this would cost $2,000,000. Thus a savings of $50,000 to the Department. Additionally, savings from payments made by the court of claims for burials that have exceeded the Department's appropriation could also be seen.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2016
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2017
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 -50,000 -50,000
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 -50,000 -50,000
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: Karen L. Bowling
    Email Address: dhhrbudgetoffice@wv.gov