COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. No.: 1794-01
Bill No.: SB 618
Subject: Health Dept.; Health, Public; Mental Health; Mental Health Dept.
Type: Original
Date: March 7, 2003
FISCAL SUMMARY
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2004 | FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on General Revenue Fund |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2004 | FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on Other State Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.
This fiscal note contains 5 pages.
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2004 | FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All Federal Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2004 | FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
| Local Government | $0 | $0 | $0 |
ASSUMPTION
Officials from Truman State University, Department of Social Services, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and University of Missouri assume the proposal would have no fiscal impact on their organizations.
Officials from Missouri Southern State College (MSSC) believe the proposal would have no fiscal impact on their organization. MSSC officials state they have counselors on staff who can provide personal counseling on many issues including depression, suicide prevention and substance abuse. The MSSC is part of a state-wide coalition called Partner's In Prevention which is designed to reduce high risk drinking, participates in the National Depression Screening Day, and has online confidential screening for depression, alcohol abuse and eating disorders which students can use anytime.
Officials from the Department of Health and Senior Services (DOH) state the DOH assumes the Department of Mental Health will have the lead for the plan and will incur the cost. DOH staff will provide support in designing, coordinating and implementing the state plan with existing resources.
Officials from the Department of Mental Health (DMH) state this proposal does not require the training seen in other bills and only requires the development and submission of a state suicide
ASSUMPTION (continued)
prevention plan to the state legislature by December 31, 2004. Such plan development would be covered through current resources, and therefore, results in no fiscal impact to the DMH.
There will be costs with the associated provisions of the plan, such as employee assistance programs, student assistance programs, training, hot-lines, etc., but the costs of these services cannot be determined until the plan is developed.
Officials from the Department of Higher Education (DHE) state the DHE's expected involvement is not defined in the proposal and therefore, the cost is unknown.
Oversight assumes since the Department of Mental Health is only required to develop a proposal for a state suicide prevention plan and submit it to the General Assembly, any costs incurred by the DHE's collaborative involvement would be minimal and, therefore, absorbable within current appropriations.
Officials from the Department of Corrections (DOC) did not respond to our request for a statement of fiscal impact. However, in response to similar legislation from the prior session, DOC officials stated it is unknown what plans may be decided on for implementation. The DOC is unsure what potential fiscal impact could result due to possible programs for employees as well as incarcerated offenders. Program development, implementation and the monitoring thereof, could result in costs as well as the need for staff. Therefore, the potential cost to the DOC is unknown at this time.
Oversight assumes potential costs to the DOC would be minimal and could be absorbed within existing resources based on the Departments of Mental Health, Elementary and Secondary Education, Health and Senior Services, and Social Services responses.
| FISCAL IMPACT - State Government | FY 2004
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government | FY 2004
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.
DESCRIPTION
This proposal requires the Director of the Department of Mental Health, in partnership with the Department of Health and Senior Services, to design a state suicide prevention plan. The Departments of Mental Health and Health and Senior Services shall work collaboratively with the Departments of Social Services, Elementary and Secondary Education, Higher Education, and Corrections to develop the plan.
The state suicide prevention plan must: 1) Promote the use of employee assistance and workplace programs to support employees with depression, psychiatric illnesses, and substance abuse disorders; 2) Promote the use of student assistance and educational programs to support students with depression, psychiatric illnesses, and substance abuse disorders; 3) Provide training and technical assistance to local public health and community-based professionals on the best practices to prevent suicides; 4) Establish a toll-free suicide prevention hotline; 5) Coordinate with federal, state and local agencies in order to collect and analyze data on suicide and suicidal behaviors; 6) Annually issue a public report; and 7) Recommend any statutory changes and implementation and funding requirements of the plan.
The proposed state suicide prevention plan must be submitted to the General Assembly by December 31, 2004.
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 Higher Education
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Department of Mental Health
Department of Health and Senior Services
Department of Social Services
Missouri Southern State College
Truman State College
University of Missouri
NOT RESPONDING: Department of Corrections
Mickey Wilson, CPA
Director
March 7, 2003