Colorado Legislative Council Staff

NO FISCAL IMPACT


Drafting Number:

Prime Sponsor(s):

LLS 98-775

Rep. Musgrave

Date:

Bill Status:

Fiscal Analyst:

March 11, 1998

House SVMA

Janis Baron (866-3523)

 

TITLE:            CONCERNING ABSTINENCE EDUCATION GRANTS AVAILABLE PURSUANT TO THE FEDERAL “PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND WORK OPPORTUNITY RECONCILIATION ACT OF 1996”.


Summary of Assessment


            The bill authorizes the Governor, or his or her designee, to implement policies and procedures for the administration and evaluation of a grant-making process to fund abstinence education programs pursuant to the federal “Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996”. It requires that any abstinence education program awarded a grant by the Governor shall have all the features described in that federal law. The bill is effective upon signature of the Governor.


            Background. The federal welfare reform legislation included funds to the states to promote abstinence education through mentoring, counseling, and adult supervision programs. Moneys for this purpose are under the authority of the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Moneys to the states are allocated through the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, currently administered by the Department of Public Health and Environment (DPHE). Colorado has received $544,383 in federal funding for these programs which require a 4 to 3 match. Local entities will be providing the match of $408,287, thus allowing $952,670 in total funding for the abstinence education programs. As of January 2, 1998, DPHE had nine programs recommended for current funding out of 13 applications received:

               Weld County Health Department

               Denver Health and Hospitals Authority

               Montezuma County Health Department

               Teen Resources Inc., InterCept Program — Colorado Springs

               FACT Foundation

               Colorado Council of Black Nurses, Inc. — Lakewood

               Pueblo Hispanic Education Foundation

               Friends First — Longmont

               Cripple Creek/Victor School District


            DPHE indicates that all of the programs recommended for funding are consistent with the intent of the federal legislation, though they do not include all eight of the components required under both the federal law and HB 98-1366. This fiscal note assumes that, if adopted, future abstinence education programs must include all eight components to qualify for funding. Because the programs are funded with federal and local moneys, there is no fiscal impact to state dollars. Because the program is currently operating and only modified by the bill, HB 98-1366 is assessed as having no fiscal impact.


Departments Contacted                   Human Services                     Public Health and Environment