LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2433

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: DECEMBER 3, 1996

      Bill Summary:

      Assembly Bill No. 2433 of 1996 establishes a two-year "Fost-Adopt Demonstration Program for Boarder Babies and Children" in the Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) to create more placement options for boarder babies and boarder children; enhance permanency services for infants and children who are not likely to return home or be placed with a relative; reduce the need for interim placements by creating more stable placement options; and give intensive services to ensure a permanent plan for a boarder baby or child and reduce the length of time in temporary foster care.

      Within six months of the bill's expiration, the Commissioner of Human Services is required to report to the Governor and the Legislature on the program's effectiveness and present recommendations for expanding the program Statewide, as appropriate.

      The bill appropriates $90,000 from the General Fund to implement the program.

      Department Comments:

       DHS and the Office of Management and Budget have not provided any fiscal information on the legislation.

      Office of Legislative Services Comments:

      The $90,000 appropriation along with other resources DYFS has made or will make available should be sufficient to effectuate the general purpose of the legislation.

      DYFS has received a $450,000 grant from the federal government to be used to reduce the time it takes to move boarder babies from hospitals to approved homes and initiate maternal health programs to reduce the number of boarder babies. The State also intends to reallocate a portion of its federal Title IV-B (Part 2) Family Preservation and Support Services allocation to fund the services of a Family Preservation Services worker to deal with the issue. Finally, DYFS is reassigning five caseworkers to deal solely with boarder baby cases.  

      This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.

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