CHILD FATALITY INVESTIGATOR S.B. 259:
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 259 (as introduced 2-18-09)
Sponsor: Senator Randy Richardville
Committee: Families and Human Services
Date Completed: 3-9-09
CONTENT
The bill would create the "Legislative Child Fatality Investigative Review Act" to establish the Office of the Legislative Child Fatality Investigator within the Legislative Council.
The principal executive officer of the Office would be the Legislative Child Facility Investigator, who would have to be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Legislative Council.
The principal purpose of the investigator would be to identify specific causes and systemic problems that contribute to the mortality of children in foster care.
The investigator would have to establish procedures for conducting investigations, holding hearings, and reporting findings from investigations.
The Legislative Council would have to establish procedures for approving the Office's budget, spending funds, and employing personnel. Subject to annual appropriation, the Office would have to employ sufficient personnel to carry out the duties and powers described above.
Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker
FISCAL IMPACT
Depending on the number of employees hired, the cost to maintain the proposed Office of the Legislative Child Fatality Investigator could likely run between $500,000 and $1.0 million annually. Most recently the Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman was created within the Legislative Council at a cost of nearly $400,000.
Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb259/0910