SB 208-FN - AS INTRODUCED
1999 SESSION
SENATE BILL 208-FN
AN ACT establishing a "parents as scholars" program.
SPONSORS: Sen. Wheeler, Dist 21; Sen. McCarley, Dist 6; Rep. Durham, Hills 22; Rep. M. Fuller Clark, Rock 36; Rep. Estabrook, Straf 8
COMMITTEE: Public Institutions, Health and Human Services
This bill establishes the "parents as scholars" program within the department of health and human services to provide financial aid and living assistance to eligible pupils who have dependent children and who are matriculating in a 2-year postsecondary undergraduate program.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
99-0839
04/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety-Nine
AN ACT establishing a "parents as scholars" program.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Purpose; Intent. The skills needed to succeed in today's' economy require an education. For many currently on welfare, lack of skills go hand in hand with long-term joblessness. Studies show that of the women who leave welfare due to employment, about 1/2 return to welfare. Women who have education and training are significantly more likely to get stable jobs that pay a living wage with adequate benefits. Today, more than ever before, employers are seeking skilled workers. Many on welfare have not developed solid skills for employment in today's economy. A strong economy has helped many welfare recipients find work in the past 2 years, but only through education and training will we see long term reductions in poverty and welfare caseloads. The New Hampshire community-technical college system is an appropriate partner to offer educational programs which include both academic pursuits and real-life work experiences for the benefit of these recipients.
2 Training Programs and Postsecondary Educational Activities; Reference Added. Amend RSA 167:85, I (g) to read as follows:
(g) Training programs and postsecondary educational activities, including self-initiated education pursuant to RSA 167:91, IX(c) and the "parents as scholars" program pursuant to RSA 167:91, VIII.
3 New Section; Employment and Family Assistance Programs; Parents as Scholars Program Established. Amend RSA 167 by inserting after section 90 the following new section:
167:90-a Parents as Scholars Program.
I. There is hereby established the parents as scholars program within the department of health and human services. This program shall provide expanded opportunities for low-income persons receiving assistance under this chapter to obtain postsecondary education. The program shall focus on enrollment in vocational and postsecondary education programs up to and including the associate's degree level, and shall include a component which allows participants to meet work requirements through internships, work study, or employment on campus or reasonably close to campus. The program shall be available to a maximum of 500 participants.
II. The department of health and human services shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to the implementation and administration of the parents as scholars program.
4 Specialized Services; Parents as Scholars Program References Added. RSA 167:91, VIII is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
VIII.(a) The commissioner may approve a participant for postsecondary education or the parents as scholars program if it appears that postsecondary education is required for the household to achieve long-term economic independence. All postsecondary education shall emphasize vocational skills training for participants in a specific occupational area.
(b) Participants who wish to pursue postsecondary education shall be subject to the following eligibility criteria and program requirements:
(1) The participant does not possess the necessary skills to obtain employment that would enable such a participant to support a family at 185 percent of the current federal poverty level, as adjusted annually.
(2) That, considering potential employment opportunities and local labor market conditions, the postsecondary education sought by the participant will significantly improve the ability of the family to be self-supporting.
(3) The participant has the aptitude and ability to complete the proposed postsecondary education program.
(4) The program participant shall be available for education, training, study or related work activity for a minimum of 25 hours per week.
(5) The participant shall make satisfactory academic progress toward completion of the relevant educational program in order to remain in the parents as scholars program.
(6) Any initial postsecondary educational plans shall emphasize vocational skills training in a specific occupational area and shall not be approved beyond the associates degree level.
(7) The department shall not be required to reimburse for tuition, books, supplies, or school fees, but may do so as funds are available.
(8) The commissioner of health and human services shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, as necessary to implement the "parents as scholars" program consistent with the provisions of this paragraph.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2000.
LBAO
99-0839
2/25/99
SB 208-FN - FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT establishing a "parents as scholars" program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Department of Health and Human Services indicates this bill will increase state expenditures by $86,910 in FY 2000, $347,616 in FY 2001 and each year thereafter. State revenue will increase by $43,455 in FY 2000 and $173,808 in FY 2001 and each year thereafter. There will be no impact on county and local revenue or expenditures.
METHODOLOGY:
The Department assumed this program would run in addition to the education program currently provided under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and that services would be provided gradually for up to 500 participants over 4 years. Federal funds would be available and this program would be 50% federal and 50% state general funds.
The Department determined that 102 individuals were in post secondary activity in September 1998. Of these, 23 were working with an average income of $402 per month. The Department assumed that an individual would receive $444 per month in financial support based on current cost of the New Hampshire Employment Program (NHEP) under TANF. Since the NHEP disregards 50% of earned income, these individuals had $201 a month in countable income, leaving the financial assistance grant amount at $243 per month, and $137 per month for support services, such as transportation and auto repairs.
The Department accounted for 5 groups of participants and calculated costs based on the groups' participation during the 4 years as follows:
(1) Current participants - individuals currently participating in education activities - no cost.
(2) New TANF participants - 25 each year, with 25 graduating each year after the first 2-year session. A lower cost was allowed for these participants because there will be a work requirement to reduce the grant.
(3) Participants who would have left the current NHEP and financial assistance, who will instead participate in Parents as Scholars.
(4) Individuals who receive assistance, but are not in the NHEP, who will opt to join the new program.
LBAO
99-0839
2/25/99
Page 2
SB 208-FN - FISCAL NOTE
(5) NHEP participants receiving assistance who will switch to the new program - cost neutral.
FY 2000 FY 2001
Group 1 $ - $ -
Group 2 46,728 186,900
Group 3 29,904 119,616
Group 4 10,278 41,100
Group 5 - -
Total $86,910 $347,616
State $43,455 $173,808
Federal $43,455 $173,808