LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE TO


SENATE, No. 1388


STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: DECEMBER 13, 1996

 

 

      Senate Bill No. 1388 of 1996 establishes a permanent Advisory Council on Adolescent Pregnancy in, but not of, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). The advisory council, consisting of 23 members, would select a chairperson from among the members and would select a secretary who need not be a member. The members would serve without compensation but would be eligible for reimbursement of necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, within the limits of appropriated funds or other funds made available to it. The department would provide necessary staff for the council and the council may request the assistance of other governmental entities.

      The council would be responsible for reviewing past policy proposals and developing new policy proposals to prevent adolescent pregnancy, reduce out-of-wedlock births among adolescents and improve services for at-risk, pregnant and parenting adolescents. Other responsibilities include collecting information, coordinating activities and promoting community input regarding adolescent pregnancy. The council is required to report to the Governor and the Legislature biannually, or more frequently if deemed appropriate, on its activities, findings and recommendations. The bill appropriates $95,000 from the General Fund for the council's costs.

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

      The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimates that during its first year of operation, $95,000 would be sufficient to allow the council to employ a secretary, if desired, and to cover the council's expenses, including "start-up" costs, with DHSS providing overhead support. General Fund appropriations to the council in future years may be reduced depending on the council's workload and the degree of support provided by DHSS and other governmental entities. The OLS also notes that a New Jersey Task Force on Adolescent Pregnancy created in 1987 with similar objectives operated with an appropriation of $50,000.

 

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.