SB2178 HD1.DOC

PART I

SECTION 1. Public assistance programs limit eligibility to those who have few or no assets. Unfortunately, such asset limits provide an incentive for individuals to divest themselves of assets and a disincentive to accumulate assets. This is problematic, as families need assets to avoid and escape poverty and become self-sufficient.

The Corporation for Enterprise Development is a national nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to expanding economic opportunity for low-income families and communities. The Corporation for Enterprise Development recommends that states, among other things, completely eliminate asset limits for their temporary assistance for needy families programs or raise the asset limit for those programs to $15,000. As of today, one state has raised its asset limit to $15,000, and five states have completely eliminated their asset limits.

The purpose of this Act is to require the department of human services to conduct a study to evaluate current asset limits for public assistance programs, including the temporary assistance for needy families program, and assess the effects of changing the asset limits on those programs.

SECTION 2. The department of human services shall conduct a study on asset limits for public assistance programs, which shall include:

(1) An evaluation of current asset limits;

(2) Information on promising activities, policies, and trends; and

(3) The potential effects of changing the asset limits on the supplemental nutritional assistance program, temporary assistance for needy families program, temporary assistance for other needy families program, and Med-QUEST program.

The department shall report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2013.

PART II

SECTION 3. The legislature finds that the national and global economic crisis that began in the second half of 2008 has caused significant economic problems in numerous industries in the State, including the airline, cruise ship, tourist, and construction industries. Mass layoffs have been reported by an increasing number of Hawaii businesses statewide, from the agricultural sector to the medical-services sector. Difficult economic times and declining tax revenues have resulted in budget cuts for many state services.

The current and impending situation jeopardizes the safety net of basic human services needs for Hawaii's residents and families. While all of Hawaii's residents will be affected by the situation, gap group families and families closest to the poverty line will suffer the most.

The purpose of this part is to appropriate moneys to maintain the levels of programs determined to be essential to public welfare.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the Blueprint for Change for neighborhood place walk-in centers.

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

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the Hawaii Primary Care Association for the Hawaii immigrant health initiative program provided at federally qualified health centers.

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

SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 for youth service centers.

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

SECTION 7. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to Hale Mahaolu for personal care services.

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

SECTION 8. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 for the shelter plus care program.

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

SECTION 9. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the Hawaii Primary Care Association for adult dental care provided at federally qualified health centers; provided that the funds shall not be used for any other purpose. The governor is authorized to utilize enhanced federal medical assistance percentages funds to offset the amount appropriated; provided that the total amount shall not exceed $2,000,000. The department of human services shall report to the legislature on:

(1) The number of adults receiving these benefits;

(2) The cost per person;

(3) Total breakdown of administrative costs and other overhead costs; and

(4) Statistics, if available, on how this dental program is reducing the number of emergency dental-related medical procedures;

provided that the department of human services shall submit its report no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2013 regular session.

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

SECTION 10. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 for Maui community college, University of Hawaii, for the adult dental care program.

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

SECTION 11. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 for outstationed eligibility worker services provided at federally qualified health centers.

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

SECTION 12. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the Hawaii Primary Care Association for outreach services provided at federally qualified health centers.

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

SECTION 13. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the Hawaii Primary Care Association for outreach services to locate uninsured children for services at federally qualified health centers.

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

SECTION 14. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to Adult Friends for Youth for youth gang prevention and intervention services.

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

SECTION 15. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 for child care subsidies.

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

SECTION 16. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to Hawaii Centers for Independent Living for statewide independent living services.

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

SECTION 17. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 to the office of youth services for a youth gang response system.

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

SECTION 18. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the united peer learning integrated new knowledge program for statewide non-school hour programs.

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

SECTION 19. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the Partners in Development Foundation to:

(1) Provide comprehensive family training (early childhood, parent, adult education, and intensive child-caregiver activities) and transitional services to sheltered and unsheltered homeless families on the leeward coast of Oahu;

(2) Offer early screening, assessment, and referral services for homeless children from birth to age five; and

(3) Prepare homeless children for kindergarten by providing developmentally appropriate social, emotional, and cognitive activities in a child-caregiver interactive learning environment.

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

SECTION 20. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to PATCH (People Attentive to Children) for the preschool open doors program.

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

SECTION 21. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 to provide funding for grants pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to The Children's Alliance of Hawaii, Inc., to provide child sex assault services.

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

PART III

SECTION 22. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2178
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1