FISCAL NOTE



FUND(S):

0403 - Div of Human Services General Administration Fund, 8722 - Cons Federal Funds Div Human Services Gen Adm Fd

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund,Other Fund Federal

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


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


The purpose of this bill concerns the practice of social work. The bill prohibits the practice of social work without a license. The bill defines terms. The bill provides for board composition. The bill sets forth the powers and duties of the board. The bill clarifies rulemaking authority. The bill also continues a special revenue account. The bill establishes license requirements. Further, the bill provides licensure for persons licensed in another state and establishes renewal requirements. The bill sets forth permit requirements and grounds for disciplinary actions. The bill allows specific disciplinary actions, provides procedures for investigation of complaints and establishes hearing and notice requirements. The bill provides judicial review and appeals of decisions and provides for civil causes of action. The bill also establishes criminal penalties. As written, the potential fiscal impact to the Department for this proposed legislation could be $78,365 over a four-year period. The Bureau for Children and Families (BCF), within the Department, has historically been unable to attract a sufficient number of Master's in Social Work (MSW)/Bachelor's in Social Work (BSW) candidates to meet staffing needs. The Schools of Social Work have not traditionally graduated a sufficient number of students with these degrees to meet demand. In order to satisfy staffing needs in periods of critical social work workforce shortages, the Department has hired workers with a baccalaureate degree in a related field (i.e. Psychology, Sociology, Education, etc.). These workers have been able to qualify for a temporary license from the Board of Social Work until they can complete the necessary education and experience requirements to qualify for a social work license. The Board of Social Work currently allows provisional social workers to use Continuing Professional Education credits or college course credits to count toward the educational requirement for a permanent social work license. Under ยง30-30-16 (10)(b), these workers will be required to complete twelve credit hours of core social work study from an accredited program. Therefore, this legislation could cause a fiscal impact due to provisional social workers being required to obtain 12 credit hours from a college or university as opposed to using credits from continuing professional education courses.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2011
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2012
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 78,365 78,365
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 78,365 78,365
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):


This legislation states that a social worker with a related degree must obtain 12 credit hours of core social work courses within a 4 year period to be eligible for a permanent license. In order to calculate the overall impact of this legislation, a sample was taken of the tuition costs from the five Title IV-E Schools of Social Work in WV. From this sample, the average tuition cost for 12 credit hours of core social work courses is $3,603.00. In calendar year 2010, the Bureau hired 134 new child welfare workers with 65% (87 workers) of those hired having related degrees. Based on this information, an estimated annual cost of, ($3,603.00 tuition X 87 workers) / 4 years = $78,365, would be paid for these workers over a four year period.



Memorandum






    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Michael J. Lewis, MD, PhD
    Email Address: dhhrbudgetoffice@wv.gov