Division of Human Rights

The Executive budget recommends (analysis as of January 28, 2008):

A FY 2007-08 workforce of 208.  This is an increase of 2 FTEs from the adjusted FTE level for FY 2006-07.  The following chart identifies adjustments in current fiscal year’s FTEs along with the recommended differences in FY 2007-08 FTEs by program (if the FTE’s are the same the program is not listed):

• The total appropriation for Personal Service is $11.8 million, a1% increase.

• An All Funds increase of $2.1 million, 11.2% from SFY 2007-07.

• $2 million of the increase is in Special Revenue-Federal funding. The $2 million increase in Federal appropriation authority will allow the Division to increase its staff by an additional 20 if needed to address a growing caseload and to receive and investigate complaints and hear cases in a timely manner.  According to the Assembly the caseload has recently increased from 10,000 to 12,000 cases and that the Division must first demonstrate the need for such staffing before it will be allowed to fill such positions.

• The increase in FTE from 206 to 208 is intended to handle increased workload expected from recently enacted legislation which prohibits discrimination of public accommodations for persons with disabilities. According to the Assembly $221,000 is appropriated for this purpose.

• The Division of Human Rights employed an estimated 13 employees under consultant contracts in SFY 2007-08 at an estimated cost of $429,000 or an average cost of $33,000 per consultant contract employee.  It is estimated that the number of employees employed under consultant contracts will decrease to 12 employees in SFY 2008-09, a decrease of 1 employee.  The consultants will be paid $500,000 in SFY 2008-09 or an average cost of $41,666  per consultant contract employee, or a 26% increase.  The purpose and use of these contract employees and whether they can be replaced by state employees should be clarified at statewide labor management.