AN ACT CONCERNING ARBITRATION IN CERTAIN FAMILY RELATIONS MATTERS.

OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS

Legislative Office Building, Room 5200

Hartford, CT 06106 ¯ (860) 240-0200

http: //www.cga.ct.gov/ofa

sSB-1194

AN ACT CONCERNING ARBITRATION IN CERTAIN FAMILY RELATIONS MATTERS.

AMENDMENT

LCO No.: 7448

File Copy No.: 567

Senate Calendar No.: 417

Agency Affected	Fund-Effect	FY 06 $	FY 07 $
Judicial Dept.	GF - Cost	600, 117	830, 000
Comptroller Misc. Accounts (Fringe Benefits)	GF - Cost	117, 000	427, 000
Total State Cost	GF - Cost	Up to 717, 000	Up to 1, 257, 000

Note: GF=General Fund

Municipal Impact: None

Explanation

Section 502 of the amendment requires a parenting plan to be filed in every dissolution case involving minor children in which there is a dispute between the parents with respect to the custody, care, education and upbringing of such child. It is anticipated that family services counselors of the Judicial Department would need to offer assistance in the development of these plans because a majority of dissolution proceedings involving minor children involve one or more litigants who represent themselves. It is estimated that family counselors would be involved in the development of 5, 100 plans annually under the amendment. Up to twelve additional family services counselors in addition to administrative staff would be needed to assist in completion of parent responsibility forms and engaging in mediation. The annual cost associated with these positions is approximately $1.3 million, including fringe benefits and other expenses.¹

The amendment also makes various other changes which have no fiscal impact.

The preceding Fiscal Impact statement is prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for the purposes of information, summarization and explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either House thereof for any purpose.

¹ The fringe benefit costs for state employees are budgeted centrally in the Miscellaneous Accounts administered by the Comptroller. The estimated fringe benefit reimbursement rate as a percentage of payroll is 53.91%, effective July 1, 2004. However, first year fringe benefit costs for new positions do not include pension costs lowering the rate to 22.65%. The state's pension contribution is based upon the prior year's certification by the actuary for the State Employees Retirement System.