LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFFICE
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note On: SB 312 SLS 24RS 120
Bill Text Version: ENROLLED
Opp. Chamb. Action:
Proposed Amd.:
Sub. Bill For.:
Date: May 29, 2024 3:40 PM Author: EDMONDS
Dept./Agy.: Department of Children and Family Services
Subject: Creates Adoption Awareness Program Analyst: Tamiko Stroud
CHILDREN EN +$334,379 FF EX See Note Page 1 of 2
Provides for the Adoption Awareness Act. (8/1/24)
Proposed law creates within the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) an Adoption Awareness Program.
Proposed law directs the Dept. of Children and Family Services to contract with an eligible vendor who will be responsible for
providing supportive services. Proposed law allows the vendor to contract with another entity to provide services. Proposed
law requires the contracted vendor to submit a monthly report on the status and operation of the Adoption Awareness
Program. Proposed law requires DCFS to annually report to the House and Senate committees on Health and Welfare.
Proposed law requires that the DCFS finance the Adoption Awareness Program with TANF funds to the extent feasible.
Proposed law allows the contracted vendor to use the appropriated funds to cover administrative costs as long as the
administrative costs do not exceed 15% of TANF funds. Proposed law requires a link to the AdoptionOption.LA.Gov website
as provided for in R.S. 40:1061.17, to be available and placed in a prominent location on websites administered by the LDH
and DCFS. Proposed law would become effective on January 1, 2025.
EXPENDITURES 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 $334,379 $668,758 $668,758 $668,758 $668,758 $3,009,411
Local Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Annual Total $334,379 $668,758 $668,758 $668,758 $668,758 $3,009,411
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
Proposed legislation reallocates existing TANF Block Grant funds for expenditures associated with the Adoption Awareness
Program. DCFS is required to contract with an eligible vendor to provide the supportive services such as marketing
(including the creation of a website) and telephone or video hotline operation. DCFS estimates a cost of $334,379 for six
months within the first year of implementation and $668,758 annually thereafter for the operation of hotline and the
creation and distribution of marketing materials.
Note: Although the proposed law requires the department to utilize TANF funding for the Adoption Awareness Program,
DCFS must determine if the requirements of this measure are allowable TANF expenditures under Federal guidelines. The
proposed legislation provides that the new Adoption Awareness Program shall not be implemented until sufficient TANF
funding is secured.
DCFS estimates the cost of the operation of a hotline to be $229,740 for 500 calls per month at approximately $38.29 per
call ($38.29 x 6,000 calls per year), based on an annual cost with Via Link, a Louisiana hotline for parenting assistance.
DCFS estimates the cost of marketing services to be $439,018 for billboards, online/digital ads, website, and brochures. The
estimated cost of the design and concept creations for billboards, online/digital ads, and landing page for the website is
$57,050, based on an existing contract with Franklin and Associates. The estimated operation cost of 11 billboards running
for six months and digital advertising campaigns on media platforms for eight months is $367,750, totaling to $424,800
($57,050 + $367,750). DCFS projects the need of 50,000 brochures at $3.52 per brochure, based on existing contract with
Safe Haven, to be distributed to public health offices, middle or high schools, charitable clinics, persons obtaining STI
testing, and any pregnant woman applying for Medicaid at an estimated cost of $14,218 ($3.52 x 50,000).
Expenditure Annual Cost Estimate
Hotline Operation $229,740
Billboards/Ads/Website - Franklin & Ass. $424,800
Brochures - Safe Haven $14,218
Total $668,758 Continue on Page 2
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} 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
 LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFFICE
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note On: SB 312 SLS 24RS 120
Bill Text Version: ENROLLED
Opp. Chamb. Action:
Proposed Amd.:
Sub. Bill For.:
Date: May 29, 2024 3:40 PM Author: EDMONDS
Dept./Agy.: Department of Children and Family Services
Subject: Creates Adoption Awareness Program Analyst: Tamiko Stroud
CONTINUED EXPLANATION from page one: Page 2 of 2
Note: This measure requires the department to fund program expenses in advance on a quarterly basis, with advanced
funding to be reconciled with actual expenses following each quarter and offset against future payments; however, DCFS
reports it is not a practice of the department.
Additionally, this measure requires a link to the AdoptionOption.LA.Gov website or any successor state agency website that
promotes adoption awareness and makes adoption resource information be made available and placed in a prominent
location on the websites administered by LDH and DCFS. LDH and DCFS report this requirement will have no material impact
on expenditures.
Senate Dual Referral Rules House
x 13.5.1 >= $100,000 Annual Fiscal Cost {S & H} 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