Fiscal Note - State of Utah - 2013 General Session

SB0049S01 - Child Welfare Modifications

State Government (UCA 36-12-13(2)(b)):
Enactment of this bill will cost the Courts $4,000, the Office of the Attorney General $7,500, and the Guardian Ad Litem $3,900 ongoing from the General Fund for additional guardianship hearings beginning in FY 2015. The Guardian Ad Litem has stated it can absorb the $3,900 within its existing budget. Enactment of this bill will also cost the Division of Child and Family Services $700 ongoing from the General Fund for additional guardianship hearings beginning in FY 2015 which DCFS has stated it can absorb within its existing budget. Enactment of this bill will also cost the Division of Child and Family Services $12,200 for drug testing costs beginning in FY 2014. In FY 2013 costs for drug testing were shifted to parents who have children in DCFS custody and are required to do mandatory drug testing. The savings resulting from that change remain in the DCFS budget and will directly offset this cost in FY�2014. General Fund revenue collections for guardianship hearing fees will be approximately $4,000 beginning in FY 2015.

Local Governments (UCA 36-12-13(2)(c)):
Enactment of this bill likely will not result in direct, measurable costs for local governments.

Direct Expenditures by Utah Residents and Businesses (UCA 36-12-13(2)(d)):
An estimate of 22 parents whose rights were terminated will pay an average of $182 in court guardianship hearing filing fees for a total of $4,000 onging General Fund revenue.

Performance Note Required? (Joint Rule 4-2-404): No