LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE
[First Reprint]
SENATE, No. 1870
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
218th LEGISLATURE
DATED: APRIL 3, 2018
SUMMARY
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Synopsis: |
Requires Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board to study racial and ethnic disparities that contribute to infant mortality. |
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Type of Impact: |
One-Year Increase in State Expenditures – General Fund. |
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Agencies Affected: |
Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board in the Department of Children and Families. |
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Office of Legislative Services Estimate |
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Fiscal Impact |
Year 1 |
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State Expenditure Increase |
Indeterminate |
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· The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimates that this bill may result in an indeterminate one-year increase in State expenditures due to the requirement that the Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board study and issue a report on the effects of racial and ethnic disparities on infant mortality. The magnitude of any expenditure increase, however, will depend on operating decisions by the board, which the OLS cannot independently predict.
BILL DESCRIPTION
This bill requires the existing Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board to study the effects of racial and ethnic disparities on infant mortality and, within one year of the enactment of the bill, to prepare and submit to the Governor and the Legislature a report containing the study’s findings and any recommendations for legislative or other actions.
When conducting the study, the board may seek the advice of persons specializing in the fields of neonatal and post neonatal pathology, maternal and infant health, minority health advocacy, or other related fields.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
None received.
OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES
The OLS estimates that this bill may result in an indeterminate one-year increase in State expenditures due to the requirement that the Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board study and issue a report on the effects of racial and ethnic disparities on infant mortality. The magnitude of any expenditure increase, however, will depend on operating decisions by the board, which the OLS cannot independently predict.
Under current law, the purpose of the board, established within the Department of Children and Families but independent of any supervision or control by the department, is to review fatalities and near fatalities of children in New Jersey in order to identify their causes, their relationship to governmental systems, and methods of prevention. The board’s teams are comprised of a variety of professionals who review the circumstances surrounding a child’s death to improve services and systems in order to prevent future deaths. Some of the possible actions following each case review include: policy and practice changes in particular fields, strengthening interagency collaboration, staff training, public outreach and education, or changes to state law.
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Section: |
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Analyst: |
Associate Research Analyst |
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Approved: |
Frank W. Haines III Legislative Budget and Finance Officer |
This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67 (C.52:13B-6 et seq.).