LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFFICE
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note On: SB 278 SLS 24RS 556
Bill Text Version: ENROLLED
Opp. Chamb. Action:
Proposed Amd.:
Sub. Bill For.:
Date: May 24, 2024 3:52 PM Author: JACKSON-ANDREWS
Dept./Agy.: Department of Children and Family Services
Subject: Creates Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative Analyst: Tamiko Stroud
CHILDREN EN SEE FISC NOTE FF EX See Note Page 1 of 1
Creates the Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative. (gov sig)
Proposed law creates the Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative in the Department of Children and Family Services
(DCFS) and provides for the structure and administration of the program. Proposed law provides for a general contractor to
manage the program and subcontractors to provide certain services to eligible participants. Proposed law provides for annual
reporting. Proposed law provides that the Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative will be implemented on August 1,
2024, and that it is replacing the Alternatives to Abortion Program. Proposed law provides that the Louisiana Pregnancy and
Baby Care Initiative will be funded in a separate line-item of the general appropriations act or receive all funds appropriated
for the Louisiana Alternatives to Abortions Program. Proposed law requires DCFS to maintain contracts with providers of the
Louisiana Alternatives to Abortions Program in effect prior to August 1, 2024, during the transition from the department to
the office of the governor. Proposed law prohibits the Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative from using funds for any
program or service related to abortion. Proposed law requires DCFS to promulagete rules, annually report to the legislature.
EXPENDITURES 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 5 -YEAR TOTAL
State Gen. Fd. SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW
Agy. Self-Gen. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Ded./Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Federal Funds SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW
Local Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Annual Total
REVENUES 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 5 -YEAR TOTAL
State Gen. Fd. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Agy. Self-Gen. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Ded./Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Local Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Annual Total $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
EXPENDITURE EXPLANATION
The proposed law requires DCFS to replace the Alternatives to Abortion Program with a newly created program called the
Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative. The current program is funded with Temporary Assistance and Needy
Families (TANF) block grants funds. To the extent TANF dollars are not utilized for the new program, the
legislature will have to appropriate an alternative means of finance (reflected as general fund in the
expenditure table above). The new program acts as a statewide social service program to enhance and increase
resources that promote childbirth instead of abortion for women facing unplanned pregnancies and to offer services,
including pregnancy support, parenting help, and adoption assistance. The Legislative Fiscal Office anticipates an
increase in the cost over existing program funding by an indeterminable amount, as this measure adds
additional administrative costs associated with hiring a general contractor to administer the program
(administrative costs include marketing and outreach, and management of payments to various
subcontractors). In addition, one requirement of the new program is to enhance and increase services/resources for
eligible recipients.
Information provided by DCFS reflects $897,411 in FY 23 actual expenditures and a total of $1,054,054 for the FY 24
contract amounts in the existing Louisiana Alternatives to Abortion Program. The proposed law requires DCFS to maintain
previously established contracts with providers of the Louisiana Alternatives to Abortions Program in effect prior to August 1,
2024, during the transition to the Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative.
Also, the proposed law requires DCFS to report annually to the legislature on the status on the Pregnancy and Baby Care
Initiative. The LFO believes that the department can complete the annual reporting requirement with utilizing existing
resources and staff within the agency’s existing operating budget.
REVENUE EXPLANATION
There is no anticipated direct material effect on governmental revenues as a result of this measure.
Senate Dual Referral Rules House
x 13.5.1 >= $100,000 Annual Fiscal Cost {S & H} x 6.8(F)(1) >= $100,000 SGF Fiscal Cost {H & S}
13.5.2 >= $500,000 Annual Tax or Fee Patrice Thomas
6.8(G) >= $500,000 Tax or Fee Increase
Change {S & H} or a Net Fee Decrease {S} Deputy Fiscal Officer