Appropriates $113,050,400 to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Public Health Services Division for fiscal year 2017; limits the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions to 233.34; provides for transfers to the Cooperative Welfare Fund; limits the transfer of funds budgeted for trustee and benefit payments; provides for program integrity; provides for specific use of General Fund moneys; and requires an annual report on accreditation status.

This is the fiscal year 2017 appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Division of Public Health Services. It includes $7,771,900 from the General Fund, $41,993,400 from dedicated funds, and $63,285,100 from federal funds for a total of $113,050,400 and 233.34 FTP. The bill also includes three sections of legislative intent language that are incorporated department wide and two sections specific to the division. The Division of Public Health Services includes the Physical Health Services, Emergency Medical Services, Laboratory Services and the newly created Suicide Prevention and Awareness Program. This bill includes adjustments for employee benefit costs, statewide cost allocation, 27th payroll, and the 3% merit-based change in employee compensation to be distributed at the discretion of the director. It also includes funding to replace six vehicles in the EMS Program, and to repair concrete and replace a water line at the state lab. There are eight additional enhancements provided for in this bill. Line item 7 provides $170,000 to replace the StateComm equipment. Line item 24 provides 1.00 FTP and $93,300 for a position that will oversee the accreditation process for the division; the FTP is approved on a one-time basis but funding is approved ongoing. Line item 28 provides one-time funding to cover the costs of vaccinationsforchildrenthatareinsuredbyTRICARE.Lineitem30providesone-timefundingfor the Expanded Access Program that provides specific medicine to children with seizures. Line item 32 adds 1.00 FTP and $83,300 for a position that will implement the transition from paper-based to an electronic-based system for the WIC program. Line item 35 provides $20,000 to xeriscape the grounds at the state laboratory. Next the bill provides $11,100 to cover increased costs for public safety communication sites. Finally, line item 39 adds 4.00 FTP and $971,100 to establish and implement a Suicide Prevention and Awareness Program. This program was reco