FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 17, 2018
Time Requested: 10:37 AM |
| Agency: |
Health and Human Resources, WV Department of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 1395 |
Introduced |
HB4024 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Human Services |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
0403 - Div of Human Services General Administrative Fund
Sources of Revenue:
General Fund
Legislation creates:
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The purpose of this bill is to rewrite and change the direct cremation and direct burial expenses for indigent persons. The bill decreases the amount the Department of Health and Human Resources may pay for cremation or burial from $1,250 to $1,000. The bill makes certain relatives of the indigent person liable for direct cremation or direct burial expenses. The bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Resources to recover direct cremation or direct burial expenses from relatives liable for those costs. The bill requires affidavits be signed and filed. The bill makes direct cremation the preferred method and provides an exception. The bill defines terms. The bill establishes a criminal penalty. Section 9-5-18 is repealed and Section 9-5-9 has been completely rewritten.
The Department estimates that an additional 410 burials/cremations could be covered by decreasing the payment from $1,250 to $1,000 based on the current appropriation of $2,050,000 ($2,050,000/$1,250 = 1,640; $2,050,000/$1,000 = 2,050). The Department has had to notify funeral homes of the depletion of funds for the past few years, which results in funeral homes going through the West Virginia Legislative Claims Commission for payment, or not filing of claims. Because of these two scenarios that are occurring, it is uncertain how many burials in total are not currently being funded by the Department. Potential for savings exists if the number of burial requests is less than 2,050 in a given year.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2018
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2019
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
Verifying the income of the deceased and the heirs or heirs-at-law could delay payments. Once information is collected, it would be verified by Department staff. Gathering income and asset information from out-of-state or estranged heirs could be difficult.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Bill J. Crouch
Email Address: bill.j.crouch@wv.gov