Date Requested:February 20, 2007
Time Requested:12:38 PM
Agency: West Virginia State Police
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
2007R1407 Revised SB544
CBD Subject: Parental Notification Requirements for Unemancipated Minors Obtaining Abortions
FUND(S)
0453
Sources of Revenue
General Fund
Legislation creates:
A New Program
Fiscal Note Summary

Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.

    The cost of this proposed legislation is projected to be $45,900 the first year and $25,900 per year thereafter. The first year startup costs include two specialty freezers.
Fiscal Note Detail
Over-all effect
Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2007
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")		 2008
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")		 Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 45,900 45,900
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 25,900 25,900
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 20,000 20,000
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0
3. Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
     Our records indicate that there were 396 sexual assault cases reported last year in West Virgina. Research indicates that only 16% of rapes and sexual assaults are ever reported. Using these factors, the actual number of assaults could reach as high as 2,475 per year. While the national average is that 10% have the potential to become pregnant, or a total of 248, only 30% of these, or 74 choose to give birth.
     Since the WV State Police does not have a pathologist qualified to perform tissue separation, this service could be performed by the State Medical Examiner's Office at $50 per case. Additionally, Marshall University, through an existing contract, can analyze the separated tissue at $300 per case. Therefore, the total cost per case would be approximately $350.
     Finally, in order to preserve the tissue for analysis, both the WV State Police and Marshall University would need to purchase a freezer capable of storing tissue, or $20,000 in total.
     Questions relating to this may be addressed to Ted Smith, Director, WVSP Forensics Laboratory, at 746-2273.
    

Memorandum
Person submitting Fiscal Note:
Ron Twohig, Comptroller
Email Address:
rtwohig@wvsp.state.wv.us
     There are serious logistical concerns which are not addressed in the proposed legislation. Those concerns can best be explained by
    Ted Smith, Director, WVSP Forensics Laboratory, at 746-2273.