HF 2241

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/08/2017 11:30am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; requiring a study of family work support programs;
requiring a report.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES STUDY OF FAMILY WORK
SUPPORT PROGRAMS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Study. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall conduct a study of the
efficacy of major federal and state programs in assisting low-income families to achieve
self-sufficiency and reduce the number of families living in poverty and identify areas that
need to be addressed by the legislature. The commissioner shall consult with the Department
of Education, Department of Revenue, and Department of Employment and Economic
Development in conducting the study.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Components of the study. new text end

new text begin The study shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) consider the effect of major federal and state programs, including, but not limited
to, the federal Temporary Assistant to Needy Families Program (TANF); the federal
Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP); child care assistance program; early
learning scholarship program; Minnesota family assistance program (MFIP); earned income
tax credit; and dependent care tax credit in assisting low-income families to achieve
self-sufficiency and reduce the number of families living in poverty;
new text end

new text begin (2) evaluate if and how these programs produce a cliff effect. For purposes of this section,
"cliff effect" means the impact of increased family earnings that are not sufficient to cover
the full cost of benefits lost due to the increased earnings;
new text end

new text begin (3) conduct an assessment of current state programs, policies, and practices relating to
reducing the number of families living in poverty, assisting families in achieving
self-sufficiency, and mitigating the cliff effect, to include program administrator and recipient
experiences; and
new text end

new text begin (4) examine evidence-based solutions utilized in other states that demonstrate significant
efforts to reduce poverty, assist with achieving self-sufficiency, and mitigate the cliff effect.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Recommendations and report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall issue a report, including
recommendations for legislative changes, to the chairs and ranking minority members of
the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over family work
support programs and the governor by December 31, 2017.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end