Appropriates or authorizes unspecified amounts for various services to be funded out of temporary assistance for needy families program funds. Effective date July 1, 2020. (SB2617 HD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Expenditures of federal temporary assistance for needy families program funds must meet one of four specific purposes. These purposes are:

Congress recently enacted the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, P.L. 109-171, effective October 1, 2006, which will require Hawaii to meet heightened family work participation requirements and avoid financial penalty.

The legislature finds that when access to post-secondary education is included as part of workforce development it is an effective means to end dependence on government benefits, thus promoting economic self sufficiency. The legislature further finds that the department of human services needs to include the community and legislature in a strategic planning process to plan for future use of temporary assistance for needy families funds.

PART I

SECTION 2. The purpose of this part is to appropriate or authorize moneys for work and work support programs for needy families to promote higher skill level job preparation and employment.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated or authorized from temporary assistance for needy families funds the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 for services that will assist temporary assistance for needy families recipients to prepare for, obtain, and retain gainful employment through these programs pursuant to this part; provided that funds shall be used only for purposes authorized under federal guidelines.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

PART II

SECTION 4. The legislature finds that many children and youth are on their own in the mornings and afternoons before and after the school bell rings. Nationally, nearly two-thirds of school-age children and youth are in homes with two working parents, but very few communities have a comprehensive system of before- and after-school care for children and youth. Although Hawaii has the A+ program for students in kindergarten through grade six, older children also need adult supervision. When older children are unsupervised in the mornings, afternoons, evenings, on weekends, and during other nonschool hours, statistics clearly show an increase in the rates of juvenile crime, drug use, and experimentation with tobacco, alcohol, and sex.

Community-based programs deliver a comprehensive set of services, including community-based outreach, case management, positive alternative activities related to teen pregnancy prevention, and promotion of two-parent families. These programs provide positive experiences and opportunities for young people and are based on a mix of required activities that shape healthy beliefs and lifestyles and reduce risky behaviors. The programs operate during after-school hours, weekends, and other nonschool hours, including school intersessions and holidays.

The legislature further finds that there is widespread agreement about the importance of establishing safe, structured learning environments for children and youth during non-school hours.

The purpose of this part is to appropriate funds for non-school-hour programs for children and youth. The programs shall include community-based programs, summer programs, and programs for students in grades kindergarten through twelve.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated or authorized from temporary assistance for needy families funds the sum of $          or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 for programs pursuant to this part; provided that funds shall be used only for purposes authorized under federal guidelines.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

PART III

SECTION 6. The purpose of this part is to appropriate or authorize moneys for programs or services for child welfare.

SECTION 7. There is appropriated or authorized from temporary assistance for needy families funds the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 for programs pursuant to this part; provided that up to $          may be transferred from temporary assistance for needy families funds to the social services block grant; provided further that funds shall be used only for purposes authorized under federal guidelines.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

PART IV

SECTION 8. The legislature finds that the greatest threat to caring for children in their own homes is the escalating cost of housing. The purpose of this part is to appropriate or authorize moneys for programs or services for eligible families to assist with overcoming increasing costs of housing and to address homelessness.

SECTION 9. There is appropriated or authorized from the temporary assistance for needy families funds the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 for programs pursuant to this part; provided that funds shall be used only for purposes authorized under federal guidelines.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

PART V

SECTION 10. There is appropriated or authorized from the temporary assistance for needy families funds the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 for child care services; provided that:

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

PART VI

SECTION 11. There is appropriated or authorized from the temporary assistance for needy families funds the sum of $          or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 for cash assistance benefits to families for eligible recipients of temporary assistance for needy families funds, pursuant to this part; provided that funds shall be used only for purposes authorized under federal guidelines.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

PART VII

SECTION 12. There is appropriated or authorized from the temporary assistance for needy families funds the sum of $          or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 for operating costs, including personnel, systems, and administrative expenses, pursuant to this part; provided that funds shall be used only for purposes authorized under federal guidelines.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.

PART VIII

SECTION 13. The department of human services, with the assistance of the financial assistance advisory council, shall implement a strategic planning process involving the community to plan for future use of temporary assistance for needy families funds and to set annual goals and outcomes for existing and new programs receiving temporary assistance for needy families funds, pursuant to section 346-14.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes. The department shall submit an annual report to the legislature, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular legislative session, concerning the implementation of this part.

PART IX

SECTION 14. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.