LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE

SENATE, No. 1935

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

 

DATED: JUNE 8, 2021

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Synopsis:

Requires DHS to employ Transportation Planning Coordinator to manage and oversee transportation services provided to DHS clients.

Type of Impact:

State Expenditure Increase.

Agencies Affected:

Department of Human Services.

 

 

Office of Legislative Services Estimate

Fiscal Impact

Annual

 

State Cost Increase

Minimum of $120,000

 

 

 

 

·         The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) concludes that the Department of Human Services (DHS) will incur $120,000 in annual salary, equipment, and fringe benefits expenses associated with the hiring of a Transportation Planning Coordinator, as required under the bill.  This estimate assumes that the Transportation Planning Coordinator position will not eliminate, to any extent, the responsibilities of an existing position in the department.

 

·         The department may experience additional minimal costs to support the Transportation Planning Coordinator’s annual reporting requirement established under the bill.

 

 

BILL DESCRIPTION

 

      This bill requires the DHS to employ a Transportation Planning Coordinator to manage and oversee the transportation services that are provided to DHS clients.  The bill requires the Transportation Planning Coordinator to be qualified by training and experience as necessary to perform the duties of the position.  The bill specifies that the coordinator is to have at least five years of experience in the transportation industry or in the management of transportation services; and it grants the Commissioner of Human Services the authority to impose additional qualifications for the position.  The Transportation Planning Coordinator will be required to submit an annual written report to the commissioner describing the coordinator’s activities over the prior year.

FISCAL ANALYSIS

 

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

 

      None received.

 

 

OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

 

      The OLS concludes that the DHS will incur $120,000 in annual salary, equipment, and fringe benefits expenses associated with the hiring of a Transportation Planning Coordinator, as required under the bill.  The department may also experience additional minimal costs to support the Transportation Planning Coordinator’s annual reporting requirement.

      The DHS holds a Transportation Broker Services contract, which establishes a sole provider (broker) responsible for arranging three types of non-emergent services for Medicaid recipients in all counties through its provider network: mobility assistance vehicles, ambulance, and livery services.  The department is responsible for monitoring the transportation broker services contract and for oversight of the fiscal agent responsible for receiving and maintaining encounter claims submitted by the broker. This estimate assumes that the Transportation Planning Coordinator position will not eliminate, to any extent, the responsibilities of existing positions in the department.

 

 

Section:

Human Services

Analyst:

Sarah M. Schmidt

Senior Research Analyst

Approved:

Thomas Koenig

Legislative Budget and Finance Officer

 

 

This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.

 

This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67 (C.52:13B-6 et seq.).