1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; requiring a study of family work support programs; 
1.3 	requiring a report.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES STUDY OF FAMILY WORK 
1.6 	SUPPORT PROGRAMS.
 1.7 		Subdivision 1.Study. The commissioner of human services shall conduct a study of the 
1.8 	efficacy of major federal and state programs in assisting low-income families to achieve 
1.9 	self-sufficiency and reduce the number of families living in poverty and identify areas that 
1.10 	need to be addressed by the legislature. The commissioner shall consult with the Department 
1.11 	of Education, Department of Revenue, and Department of Employment and Economic 
1.12 	Development in conducting the study.
1.13 		Subd. 2.Components of the study. The study shall:
1.14 	(1) consider the effect of major federal and state programs, including, but not limited 
1.15 	to, the federal Temporary Assistant to Needy Families Program (TANF); the federal 
1.16 	Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP); child care assistance program; early 
1.17 	learning scholarship program; Minnesota family assistance program (MFIP); earned income 
1.18 	tax credit; and dependent care tax credit in assisting low-income families to achieve 
1.19 	self-sufficiency and reduce the number of families living in poverty;
1.20 	(2) evaluate if and how these programs produce a cliff effect. For purposes of this section, 
1.21 	"cliff effect" means the impact of increased family earnings that are not sufficient to cover 
1.22 	the full cost of benefits lost due to the increased earnings;
2.1 	(3) conduct an assessment of current state programs, policies, and practices relating to 
2.2 	reducing the number of families living in poverty, assisting families in achieving 
2.3 	self-sufficiency, and mitigating the cliff effect, to include program administrator and recipient 
2.4 	experiences; and
2.5 	(4) examine evidence-based solutions utilized in other states that demonstrate significant 
2.6 	efforts to reduce poverty, assist with achieving self-sufficiency, and mitigate the cliff effect.
2.7 		Subd. 3.Recommendations and report. The commissioner shall issue a report, including 
2.8 	recommendations for legislative changes, to the chairs and ranking minority members of 
2.9 	the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over family work 
2.10 	support programs and the governor by December 31, 2017.

2.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.