LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFFICE
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note On: HB 77 HLS 20RS 242
Bill Text Version: ENROLLED
Opp. Chamb. Action:
Proposed Amd.:
Sub. Bill For.:
Date: May 23, 2020 9:17 AM Author: DEVILLIER
Dept./Agy.: Probation and Parole
Subject: Reporting Requirements of Parolees/Conditions of Probation Analyst: Monique Appeaning
PARDON/PAROLE EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note Page 1 of 1
Provides relative to the supervision and reporting requirements of persons on probation or parole
Present law provides that a person released on parole may be required to meet with or report to the parolee’s probation and parole officer
when ordered to do so. Present law requires a defendant on probation to report to his or her probation officer as directed. Proposed law
provides that a probation and parole officer who supervises a person released on probation or parole shall schedule meetings required as a
condition of the person’s release at such times and locations that take into consideration and accommodate the person’s work schedule.
Proposed law provides that in lieu of requiring the defendant to appear in-person, the probation and parole officer may utilize technology
portals, including cellular telephone and other electronic communication devices that allow simultaneous voice and video communication in
real time. Proposed law authorizes the use of such technology for required reporting or meetings of a person who is self-employed at the
discretion of the defendant’s probation officer. Proposed law directs DPSC to promulgate specific rules in accordance with the
Administrative Procedure Act to implement the provisions of this legislation.
EXPENDITURES 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 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 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Local Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Annual Total
REVENUES 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 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 law will result in an indeterminable SGF expenditure impact to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections - Corrections
Services (DPSC) in order to implement the use of technology for probation officers in certain circumstances. The provision allowing
electronic communication, including simultaneous voice and video, could potentially result in a net indeterminable reduction in travel
expenditures for Probation and Parole Officers traveling to meet with probationers or parolees. The provisions detailing the standards
necessary for such technology could result in a net indeterminable expenditure increase related to acquiring necessary technology
interfaces to permit such communication. The number of probationers and parolees that may be determined as suitable for using the
technology interface in lieu of in-person meetings is indeterminable and will rely on the specific rules promulgated by DPSC as well as the
judgment of the Probation and Parole Officer assigned to each probationer or parolee.
For illustrative purposes, to utilize a mobile application such as SmartLink that supports compliance for probation and parole conditions,
the department provides a conservative expenditure estimate of $90K for every 30 days to support approximately 3,000 cases monthly.
If the number of individuals identified as eligible for monitoring through technology were to be greater than 3,000, the costs would
increase accordingly. The department cited an individual product for use in monitoring that is specifically designed to provide a web-
based, secure offender monitoring platform. There are other potential products on the market that could potentially effectuate
simultaneous voice and video communication at different price points, some of which may significantly lower the expenditure projection
provided by DPSC. However, the LFO acknowledges that communication between a probationer or parolee and his or her supervising
officer likely create special circumstances that are more adequately addressed by an application specifically designed for this purpose.
The department reports that it currently has approximately 2,700 cases across the state that involves monitoring either high risk
individuals or those convicted of a sex offense. Those cases would presumably fall into a category failing to qualify for monitoring through
technology.
For informational purposes, all current Probation and Parole Districts (21) have state issued phones and 100% of Probation and Parole
Officers have state issued mobile phones. If a parolee does not have a mobile phone, the agency typically connects the parolee to a
program that provides free mobile phones.
REVENUE EXPLANATION
There is no anticipated direct material effect on governmental revenues as a result of this measure.
Senate Dual Referral Rules House
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 Evan Brasseaux
6.8(G) >= $500,000 Tax or Fee Increase
Change {S & H} or a Net Fee Decrease {S} Staff Director