LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 1893

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED June 5, 1996

      Assembly Bill No. 1893 (1R) of 1996 requires the Superior Court to order the parent of a child removed from parental custody because of abuse or neglect to undergo a substance abuse assessment, when necessary. The bill provides that if the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part makes a finding of child abuse or neglect pursuant to section 30 of P.L.1974, c.119 (C.9:6-8.50 et seq.), and the child is placed in the custody of a relative or other suitable person or the Division of Youth and Family Services, the court shall require the parent to undergo substance abuse assessment, when necessary. If there is positive evidence of substance abuse, the parent shall demonstrate to the court that he is receiving treatment and complying with the treatment plan for the substance abuse problem before the child is returned to the parental home.

      The Office of Administrative Law states that it does not possess the data with which to estimate the cost of implementing this bill.

      Information provided informally by the Department of Human Services indicates that the department is currently operating a program funded through a federal grant through the National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect which conducts family assessments, treatment referrals and treatment monitoring at a cost of about $800 per family. The cost of conducting the assessment alone would be about $140 per family.

      The OLS adds that there is no information available concerning the cost of treatment, nor does the bill state which party is responsible for these costs.

This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67.