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 purpose of this proposed legislation is to create an Unintentional Pharmaceutical Drug Overdose Fatality Review Team. The bill sets forth membership of the team and its responsibilities. The bill requires the examination and the providing of preventative education in cases that involve unintentional pharmaceutical drug overdose deaths; the bill also grants rulemaking authority. The Department estimates the total costs of this legislation to be $169,362 in the first year, and $163,362 upon implementation. There were 474 drug related deaths in calendar year 2009. In 2010, there were 639 total drug related deaths (accidental, suicide, homicide and undetermined) with 477 of those being accidental drug overdoses. The case load anticipated for review by this team would require 2.5 new FTE's, which are a full time program manager, programmer analyst (.5 FTE), and office assistant. In addition, the team would be supported by existing staff from the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. The time of the Chief Medical Examiner and Chief Toxicologist have not been identified as part of the estimated costs of this legislation and will be absorbed by the Department.

Fiscal Note Detail

Effect of Proposal	Fiscal Year
Effect of Proposal	2012 Increase/Decrease (use"-")	2013 Increase/Decrease (use"-")	Fiscal Year (Upon Full Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost	0	169,362	163,362
Personal Services	0	145,662	145,662
Current Expenses	0	17,700	17,700
Repairs and Alterations	0	0	0
Assets	0	6,000	0
Other	0	0	0
2. Estimated Total Revenues	0	0	0

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

Creating an Unintentional Pharmaceutical Drug Overdose Fatality Review Team (UPDOFRT) will cost an estimated $169,362 in the first year. The estimates are based on financial comparisons with the existing Child Fatality Review Team, Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team and Maternal Mortality Review Team. The work load of the UPDOFRT will be dramatically larger than any of the above listed teams so it is expected that staffing and other support needs will also be greater. Salaries, totaling $97,985, are calculated as follows: Program Manager, (HHR Specialist Sr., $44,412), Programmer Analyst (.5 FTE @ $28,053), and an Office Assistant III ($25,520). The estimated salaries were based upon the mid-range of the pay grade for each classification. Fringe benefits, totaling $47,677, are calculated as follows: administrative fees and health insurance at $7,715 per FTE X 2.5 = $19,288, FICA, retirement and workers' compensation at 23.86% of personal services is $23,379. WV OPEB contribution is $167 per month X 12 = $2,004 per year for each insurance policy holder. It is anticipated that each employee will have insurance; total WV OPEB cost for 2.5 employees is $5,010. Total cost estimated for personal services is $145,662. Current expense, totaling $17,700, is calculated as follows: rent/utilities/phone $7,200; office supplies and materials $2,500; travel $1,500; printing of annual report $3,000; and miscellaneous for program support $3,500. A onetime purchase for computer equipment of $6,000 is estimated for the 4 positions listed above.

Memorandum

Person submitting Fiscal Note: Michael J. Lewis, M.D., Ph.D.
Email Address: dhhrbudgetoffice@wv.gov