132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1298		LR 2309(02)
	An Act Establishing Alternative Pathways to Social Worker Licensing
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Legislative Cost/Study
Legislative Cost/Study
	The general operating expenses of this study are projected to be $3,750 in fiscal year 2025-26. The Legislature’s proposed budget for the 2026-2027 biennium includes $22,196 in each of fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 for the costs of legislative studies, as well as $8,265 in projected balances from fiscal year 2024-25 and $33,073 of balances carried over from prior years for this purpose. Whether these amounts are sufficient to fund all studies will depend on the number of studies authorized by the Legislative Council and the Legislature. The additional costs of providing staffing assistance to the study during the interim can be absorbed utilizing existing budgeted staff resources.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	Any additional costs to the Departments of Health and Human Services and Professional and Financial Regulation associated with serving on the Commission to Evaluate the Requirements for Licensing of Social Workers and Certification of Behavioral Health Workers can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.