HB 215 -- CASELOAD STANDARDS (Dougherty)

This bill requires the Director of the Department of Social
Services to convene, at least biannually, a Caseload Standards
Committee, to recommend minimum and maximum caseloads for each
category of employees in the department.  The committee will
include 7 nonsupervisory departmental employees and 3 division
directors or their designees.  A representative of the
employees' certified majority organization will also serve on
the committee, but in a nonvoting, advisory capacity.

This bill also requires the director to develop caseload
standards for employees in each program area within the
department, based on the actual duties of caseworkers, and
consistent with existing professional caseload standards, taking
into account the recommendations of the Caseload Standards
Advisory Committee.  In developing caseload standards, the
director is to consider the standards developed by other states
for workers employed in similar positions.  The caseload
standards developed by the director must form the basis for the
Department's annual personnel budget request, and be used to
assign caseloads to individual employees.  Good faith efforts on
the part of an employee who does not meet assignments exceeding
caseload standards will be considered in evaluating the
employee's work performance.  A provision is made for employee
grievances should a performance evaluation be lowered or
discipline imposed, based on work expectations which exceed
caseload standards.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Effect on General Revenue Fund of $0
for FY 1998, Unknown for FY 1999 and FY 2000.

HB 215, HCA 1, HCA 2 -- CASELOAD STANDARDS

SPONSOR:  Dougherty

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Social
Services, Medicaid and the Elderly�by a vote of 15 to 0.

This bill requires the Director of the Department of Social
Services to convene, at least biannually, a Caseload Standards
Committee, to recommend minimum and maximum caseloads for each
category of employees in the department.  The Committee will
include 7 nonsupervisory departmental employees and 3 division
directors or their designees.  A representative of the
employees' certified majority organization will also serve on
the committee, but in a nonvoting, advisory capacity.

This bill also requires the director to develop caseload
standards for employees in each program area within the
department, based on the actual duties of caseworkers, and
consistent with existing professional caseload standards, taking
into account the recommendations of the Caseload Standards
Advisory Committee.  In developing caseload standards, the
director is to consider the standards developed by other states
for workers employed in similar positions.  The caseload
standards developed by the director must form the basis for the
Department's annual personnel budget request, and be used to
assign caseloads to individual employees.  The department is to
promulgate rules prescribing the caseload standards developed.
Good faith efforts on the part of an employee who does not meet
assignments exceeding caseload standards will be considered in
evaluating the employee's work performance.  A provision is made
for employee grievances should a performance evaluation be
lowered or discipline imposed, based on work expectations which
exceed caseload standards.

HCA 1 -- Any caseload standards adopted will not be below the
minimal federal caseload standards.

HCA 2 -- Deletes the rulemaking authority given to the
Department of Social Services for prescribing caseload standards.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Effect on General Revenue Fund is $0
for FY 1998, and Unknown for FY 1999 and FY 2000.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that uniform standards will help
ensure proper staffing levels and equity in the workplace.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Dougherty; and

Missouri State Workers Union.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Debra Cheshier, Research Analyst

HB 215 -- Caseload Standards

Sponsor:  Dougherty

This bill requires the Director of the Department of Social
Services to convene, at least biannually, a Caseload Standards
Committee, to recommend minimum and maximum caseloads for each
category of employees in the department.  The Committee will
include 7 nonsupervisory departmental employees and 3 division
directors or their designees.  A representative of the
employees' certified majority organization will also serve on
the committee, but in a nonvoting, advisory capacity.

This bill also requires the director to develop caseload
standards for employees in each program area within the
department, based on the actual duties of caseworkers, and
consistent with existing professional caseload standards, taking
into account the recommendations of the Caseload Standards
Advisory Committee.  In developing caseload standards, the
director is to consider the standards developed by other states
for workers employed in similar positions.  The caseload
standards developed by the director must form the basis for the
Department's annual personnel budget request, and be used to
assign caseloads to individual employees.  The Department is to
promulgate rules prescribing the caseload standards developed.
Good faith efforts on the part of an employee who does not meet
assignments exceeding caseload standards will be considered in
evaluating the employee's work performance.  A provision is made
for employee grievances should a performance evaluation be
lowered or discipline imposed, based on work expectations which
exceed caseload standards.