If this bill passes, POST certification for Division of Youth Corrections Officers will not be required during FY 1998 and no additional costs in current budgets will be incurred. Without the provisions of this bill, however, the agency would either have to remove over 400 employees from their current duties to bring them to required training levels (preliminary estimates for training are $592,300) or risk possible lawsuits by youthful offenders, advocacy groups, and employees. If Juvenile Court Probation Officers are also considered eligible under the existing statute, as some legal counselors suggest, costs for court personnel would add another $1 million for immediate remediation training. Expressed interest by employee advocacy groups in the resolution of this inconsistency in the law and practice also represents a potential for litigation on behalf of those employees who have not been trained in accordance with the training requirements in statute and not eligible for public safety retirement. The nature and scope of this increased risk and potential loss from settlements or judgements cannot be determined at this time.

Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst

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