LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 4295

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

 

DATED: JULY 1, 2026

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Synopsis:

Establishes Council for Community Recovery and Family Success.

Type of Impact:

Annual State expenditure increase; potential State revenue increase.

Agencies Affected:

Council for Community Recovery and Family Success, Department of Community Affairs.

 

 

Office of Legislative Services Estimate

Fiscal Impact

Annual

 

State Expenditure Increase

Indeterminate

 

Potential State Revenue Increase

Indeterminate

 

 

·         The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) determines that State costs may increase by an indeterminate and potentially significant amount if the Council for Community Recovery and Family Success were to avail itself of the services of employees of various Executive branch departments and agencies to fulfill its duties, as provided under the bill.

·         Given that the bill also requires all Executive branch departments and agencies that provide preventative and social services for vulnerable families and communities, or that maintain relevant social services data sets, to assist the council in carrying out its duties under the bill, annual State costs may further increase, albeit by an indeterminate amount.

·         To the extent that Executive branch departments that provide services to the State’s children and families, such as the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Human Services, already deliver preventive services intended to foster the wellbeing of families and children, State costs may be somewhat mitigated.

·         Insofar as the council recommends that various child and family-serving Executive branch departments adopt prevention-focused programs and services for which federal Family First Prevention Services Act or Medicaid cost reimbursements are available, State revenues may potentially increase, albeit by an indeterminate amount.

BILL DESCRIPTION

 

      The bill establishes the Council for Community Recovery and Family Success in, but not of, the Department of Community Affairs, and tasks the council with developing a plan to address family and childhood success.

      The council would consist of 17 members, comprising representatives from State government, county and municipal government, underserved communities, direct service providers, and families whose children receive State-funded services.  Council members may be reimbursed for travel and other expenses necessary to fulfill their duties, within the limits of funds made available to the council.  The council is authorized to utilize contracted professional staffing and support services, and subject matter experts, to fulfill its duties.  Appropriations or grants provided to the council by State, federal or local government, private donations, and philanthropic gifts will be held and administered by the Community Foundation of New Jersey, or a similar nonprofit non-governmental organization.

      The council will manage and support the Statewide development of community-based service networks to enhance the social and economic well-being of infants, children, youth, and families, and the provision of age and developmentally-appropriate services through an integrated service planning and delivery system.

      To implement the initiative, the council will advocate for a State Bill of Rights for Infants, Children, Youth, and Families, which will provide the initiative’s framework; support community-based service network services that foster family economic security, education, health and well-being, and safe and thriving communities; together with the community-based service networks, identify and evaluate policies and financial priorities to promote family success; explore strategies to leverage public and private funding for preventive services; and provide funding, technical support, and oversight of the community-based service networks.

      The bill requires State departments and agencies, and community-based organizations that provide preventive and social services, maintain relevant data sets, or perform functions pertinent to relevant prevention and social services programs, to assist the council in executing its responsibilities under the bill.

 

 

FISCAL ANALYSIS

 

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

 

      None received.

 

OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

 

      The OLS determines that State costs may increase by an indeterminate and potentially significant amount if the Council for Community Recovery and Family Success were to avail itself of the services of employees of various Executive branch departments and agencies to fulfill its duties, as authorized under the bill.  Because the OLS cannot anticipate whether and to what extent the council might utilize employees of State department and agencies, the magnitude of the increased State costs under the bill is indeterminate.

      Given that the bill also requires all Executive branch departments and agencies that provide preventative and social services for vulnerable families and communities, or that maintain relevant social services data sets, to assist the council in carrying out its duties under the bill, annual State costs may further increase, albeit by an indeterminate amount.  

      To the extent that Executive branch departments that provide services to the State’s children and families, such as the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Human Services, already deliver preventive services intended to foster the wellbeing of families and children, State costs under the bill may be somewhat mitigated.  For example, pursuant to the federal Family First Prevention Services Act, the Department of Children and Families has implemented several prevention-focused programs for families who are involved with the child welfare system. 

      To the extent that the council recommends that various family-serving Executive branch departments adopt prevention-focused programs and services for which federal Family First Prevention Services Act or Medicaid cost reimbursements are available, State revenues may potentially increase, albeit by an indeterminate amount.

 

Section:

Human Services

Analyst:

Anne Cappabianca

Senior Fiscal 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.).