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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

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

     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.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

DHS; TANF Program; TAONF Program; Med-QUEST; OHA Package

Description:

Requires DHS to conduct a study on asset limits for public assistance programs.  Requires a report to the legislature.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD2)

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