SOUTH DAKOTA LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COUNCIL

FISCAL NOTE, 2003 LEGISLATIVE SESSION


FISCAL NOTE 2003-HB1230A

HB 1230 provide for a study of Native American children in foster care.

House Bill 1230, as amended by the House Committee on Health and Human Services, requires the Department of Social Services to conduct a study to determine the reasons that Native American children are placed in foster care. The study is also to explore means by which Native American families can be empowered to care for children. The agency is required to consult with a volunteer task force composed of five members of the State-Tribal Relations Committee and a maximum of four personnel from the Department of Social Services. Tribal governments are encouraged to each appoint a representative to the task force. Pending the enactment of the bill, the agency would have three months to complete the study by September 30, 2003, and report its findings to the State-Tribal Relations Committee.

In consultation with the Bureau of Finance and Management, it is estimated that House Bill 1230 would have the following impact on the state's finances:



Agency/Item
 
General
Fund  
Federal
Funds  
Other
Funds  

Total
 

FTE
 
           
Revenue:   $0   $0   $0   $0    
           
Expenses:            
Department of Social Services   $400,000   $0   $0   $400,000   0.0  
Department of Education   0   0   0   0   0.0  
Department of Health   0   0   0   0   0.0  
Total Expenses   $400,000   $0   $0   $400,000   0.0  
           
Net Impact   $400,000   $0   $0   $400,000   0.0  

Methodology and Assumptions:

To accomplish the study, Social Services would hire a consultant to conduct a survey of the nine reservations. With three months to complete the study, it is estimated that the cost per reservation would be approximately $44,444. The total cost would be $400,000.

APPROVED BY:_______________________________________ DATE:____________