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.

This bill creates the Office of Family and Foster Child Protection ombudsman. It also authorizes the Ombudsman to hire staff; requires the Ombudsman to investigate and monitor DHHR, Child Protective Services; and sets forth powers and duties. The bill requires the Ombudsman to be a licensed attorney with experience in the field. The Ombudsman would be a General Attorney position whose starting salary range is $70,000. This salary would have additional benefits of 35% or roughly $24,500.00. It is unknown how many employees would be required to be hired based upon the amount of work. Therefore, this fiscal note is based upon an Ombudsman only with no staff. The Ombudsman would require 250 sq. ft. of office space for one person and approximately $19,000 for furniture, fixtures and equipment to include a computer, copier, fax machine and telephone system.

Fiscal Note Detail

Effect of Proposal	Fiscal Year
Effect of Proposal	2008 Increase/Decrease (use"-")	2009 Increase/Decrease (use"-")	Fiscal Year (Upon Full Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost	117,250	117,250	0
Personal Services	0	0	0
Current Expenses	0	0	0
Repairs and Alterations	0	0	0
Assets	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0
2. Estimated Total Revenues	0	0	0

Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):

The above figures are based upon the current salary range of a General Council position. I have no knowledge of what the Governor would set for the salary of the Ombudsman. The rent amount of $3,750.00 is based upon 250 sq. ft. at $15.00 a sq. ft. This figure could increase if the Ombudsman was placed in more expensive office space in town. The fiscal impact on full implementation is unknown as I have no knowledge of the number of staff which would be required to operate the office.

Memorandum

Person submitting Fiscal Note: Donna Lipscomb
Email Address: donna.m.lipscomb@wvgov.org