131st MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 2140 LR 2874(02)
An Act to Enact the Interstate Social Work Licensure Compact
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 Projections  FY 2025-26 Projections  FY 2026-27
Appropriations/Allocations
Other Special Revenue Funds $0 $386,703 $429,493 $450,269
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This legislation adds the State of Maine to the Compact for Licensing Social Workers contingent upon 7 states enacting it into law. This fiscal note assumes that at least 7 states will enact the compact and it will become effective during the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Given this assumption, this bill includes ongoing Other Special Revenue Funds allocations totaling $386,703 in fiscal year 2024-25 to the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (DPFR) to join and participate in the social worker licensure compact.  Of that amount, $366,680 is allocated to the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR) for one Comprehensive Health Planner II position, one Public Service Coordinator II position and one Public Service Manager II position and related All Other costs to manage the increase in responsibilities of the Board of Social Work Licensure, including the review of applications for compact privilege, compact compliance, joint investigations and reporting requirements.  Additionally, $6,169 is allocated to OPOR for STA-CAP and rule-making costs.  Finally, $13,854 is allocated on an ongoing basis to the Administrative Services - Professional and Financial Regulation program within DPFR for STA-CAP, service center support and technology costs that are reimbursed by transfers from the board.
According to DPFR, the Board of Social Work Licensure does not have sufficient resources to support the direct costs to the board within the amount of revenue currently received and will need to increase fees to support the additional costs.