OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS

Legislative Office Building, Room 5200

Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 240-0200

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

HB-5908

AN ACT CONCERNING PROCEEDINGS AND OPERATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

AMENDMENT

LCO No.: 4786

File Copy No.: 481

House Calendar No.: 265

OFA Fiscal Note

State Impact:

Agency Affected

Fund-Effect

FY 09 $

FY 10 $

Children & Families, Dept.

GF & BF - Cost

Significant

Significant

Note: GF=General Fund; BF=Bond Fund

Municipal Impact: None

Explanation

The amendment prohibits the placement of delinquent children sixteen years of age and older within the Connecticut Juvenile Training School (CJTS) on and after 1/1/10. It further requires the Department of Children and Families to maintain other appropriate facilities exclusively for the placement of this population. This will result in significant capital and General Fund costs.

There are approximately 65 children sixteen years of age and over in placement at CJTS. An estimated additional 80 committed youth will require secure placement once the age of juvenile jurisdiction is raised. Readying alternative facilities (able to accommodate approximately 145 residents) for occupancy by 1/1/10 would require capital expenditures likely exceeding $60 million, and result in General Fund costs, when fully operational, likely exceeding $25 million. Associated operating costs would be partially offset to the extent that fewer resources would be required at CJTS given a reduced census.1

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 chamber thereof for any purpose.

1 sSB 27, the FY 09 Bond Bill as favorably reported by the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, includes $8 million to modify the CJTS in anticipation of raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction. This project will add another 94 beds to the facility. Preliminary estimates indicate that once the expanded facility is operational, the state will incur additional General Fund costs of approximately $10.3 million, reflecting the hiring of 130 staff and associated other expenses.