This Fiscal Note is not an official copy and should not be quoted or cited.
Fiscal Note - SB 0979 - Licensing & Registration of Specific Social Workers
L.R. NO. 3513-01
BILL NO. SB 979
SUBJECT: Licenses - Professional: Social Workers
TYPE: Original
DATE: March 25, 1996
FISCAL SUMMARY
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 1997 FY 1998 FY 1999
State Social
Workers $122,086 $50,638 $154,344
PR Fees $0 $0 $0
Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
State Funds $122,086 $50,638 $154,344
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 1997 FY 1998 FY 1999
None $0 $0 $0
Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 1997 FY 1998 FY 1999
Local Government $0 $0 $0
FISCAL ANALYSIS
ASSUMPTION
Officials from the Department of Economic Development-Professional
Registration (DPR) assume the proposal would result in the licensure of 400
Master Social Workers (MSW) the first year. The initial application fee and
bi-annual renewal would be set at $100, resulting in $40,000 revenue the
first year. It is assumed the second year would also generate 400 additional
applicants. In the third year, it is again assumed an additional 400
applicants. However, it is assumed only 40 of the initial licensees would
renew their licenses, since they would have obtained their two years
experience and would most likely become Licensed Clinical Social Workers.
Therefore, revenue in the third year would be $44,000. (400 new applicants x
$100) + (40 renewals x $100)
In addition, DPR officials assume the proposal would result in the licensure
of 1,000 Baccalaureate Social Workers (BSW) the first year. The initial
application fee and bi- annual renewal would be set at $100, resulting in
$100,000 revenue the first year. It is assumed the second year would
generate an additional 250 applicants. In the third year, it is again
assumed an additional 250 applicants, along with 1,000 renewals for a total
revenue of $125,000.
The new committee would replace the existing Advisory Committee for Licensed
Clinical Social Workers. Since committee members are currently reimbursed
for expenses related to committee business, no additional travel costs would
be necessary. However, this proposal would provide for a per diem for board
members. DPR assumes each committee member would receive $50 per diem per
day and estimates a total of four meetings per year for two days each for the
seven members for a total of $2,800 in per diem costs per year.
In order to implement the proposal, DPR assumes they would need .5 Licensure
Technician I (.5 FTE at $16,164 per year) to provide clerical and technical
support directly to the Executive Director and to the Committee. In
addition, DPR asserts the need for a .5 Clerk Typist II (.5 FTE at $15,624
per year) to be added to the Division- Administration support pool.
Oversight assumes the initial licensure process would generate additional
work load with the new licensees. However, the work load should decrease in
subsequent years with a smaller number of additional licensees each year.
Therefore, costs associated with the additional .5 Licensure Technician I
were not included in the fiscal impact specifications below. Also, Oversight
made some adjustments to the equipment requests for the .5 FTE Clerk Typist
II position based on OA guidelines.
It is assumed the committee would utilize the examination offered by the
American Association of State Social Work Boards, therefore, there would be
no revenue or cost to the state.
FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 1997 FY 1998 FY 1999
(10 Mo.)
STATE SOCIAL WORKERS FUND
Income-Division of Professional Registration (DPR)
Licensing/Renewal Fees (MSW) $40,000 $40,000 $44,000
Licensing/Renewal Fees (BSW) 100,000 25,000 125,000
Total Income - DPR $140,000 $65,000 $169,000
Costs-DPR
Transfer to PR Fees Fund ($17,914) ($14,362) ($14,656)
Total Costs - DPR ($17,914) ($14,362) ($14,656)
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT TO
STATE SOCIAL WORKERS FUND $122,086 $50,638 $154,344
PR FEES FUND
Income-Division of Professional Registration (DPR)
Transfer from SSW Fund $17,914 $14,362 $14,656
Total Income - DPR $17,914 $14,362 $14,656
Costs-DPR
Board Member Per Diem ($2,800) ($2,800) ($2,800)
Personal Service (.5 FTE) (6,670) (8,207) (8,413)
Fringe Benefits (2,049) (2,521) (2,584)
Equipment and Expense (6,395) (834) (859)
Total Costs - DPR ($17,914) ($14,362) ($14,656)
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT TO
PR FEES FUND $0 $0 $0
FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government FY 1997 FY 1998 FY 1999
(10 Mo.)
0 0 0
DESCRIPTION
The proposed legislation would establish the State Committee for Social
Workers within the Division of Professional Registration. The bill would
contain provisions regarding the make-up of the committee, its duties, terms
of service, compensation, meetings, election of officers and the removal of
members.
The bill would establish the definition for baccalaureate social workers
(BSW) and would define the scope of their practice. Provision would be made
for registration of BSWs. Fees collected would be deposited in the State
Social Workers Fund.
In addition, the proposal would establish licensure for the practice of
master social work and would define the scope of master social work practice.
This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other
program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental
space.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Department of Economic Development-Professional Registration