LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE
[First Reprint]
ASSEMBLY, No. 4434
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
DATED: NOVEMBER 20, 2024
SUMMARY
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Synopsis: |
Requires DHS and DOH to study disordered eating; establishes "Disordered Eating Prevention Research Grant Pilot Program." |
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Type of Impact: |
Three-year State expenditure increase. |
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Agencies Affected: |
Department of Human Services; Department of Health; Department of Education. |
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Office of Legislative Services Estimate |
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Fiscal Impact |
Year 1 through Year 3 |
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State Expenditure Increase |
Indeterminate. |
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· The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) concludes that the bill would result in an indeterminate increase in State expenditures by the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health to conduct the required study and implement the three-year grant program regarding disordered eating. Some indeterminate costs may also accrue to the Department of Education to inform teachers, other staff members, and parents on disordered eating prevention.
BILL DESCRIPTION
This bill requires the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health to conduct a study on the causes, prevention, and reduction of disordered eating in New Jersey. The Department of Human Services is to: contract with a third party to support the study’s activities; partner with the Department of Education to inform teachers, administrators, school staff, students, and parents on disordered eating prevention; and seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from private or public sources. Within 18 months following the bill’s effective date, the departments are to prepare and submit to the Governor and to the Legislature a report containing the study's findings and recommendations.
The bill also establishes a three-year Disordered Eating Prevention Research Grant Pilot Program within the Department of Human Services to provide financial assistance to eligible applicants to conduct research related to disordered eating. The bill directs the department to establish the criteria for eligible applicants and for the determination of grant amounts, which are to be made in accordance with the availability of resources, and the procedures for administering the grant program. Under the bill, the department is to submit to the Governor and to the Legislature several reports that summarize the administration of the grant program.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
None received.
OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES
The OLS concludes that the bill would result in an indeterminate increase in State expenditures by the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health over a three-year period. Under the bill, the departments would incur one-time expenses to conduct and publish the study regarding disordered eating in New Jersey. These may include administrative expenses to hire staff and to contract with a third party to support the study. To the extent that the departments receive funds from private or non-State public sources, as permitted under the bill, State revenue would increase.
The Department of Human Services would incur additional indeterminate costs to administer the three-year Disordered Eating Prevention Grant Pilot Program established in the bill. These would include expenses to administer the program and provide funding to eligible grant recipients. The criteria for the grant program and eligible recipients are to be determined by the department, and therefore the number of eligible grantees and the amount of funds awarded under the pilot program are unpredictable.
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Section: |
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Analyst: |
Lead Research Analyst |
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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.).