0122-sb 0313

CHAPTER 122

SB 313 - FINAL VERSION

AN ACT establishing a commission to study the relationship between postsecondary education and recipients of temporary assistance to needy families.

SPONSORS: Sen. Wheeler, Dist 21; Sen. McCarley, Dist 6; Sen. Larsen, Dist 15; Rep. Durham, Hills 22; Rep. M. Fuller Clark, Rock 36; Rep. Copenhaver, Graf 10

This bill establishes a 2-year commission for the purpose of studying the relationship between postsecondary education and recipients of temporary assistance to needy families.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

AN ACT establishing a commission to study the relationship between postsecondary education and recipients of temporary assistance to needy families.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

I. Since the start of the TANF program in 1996, New Hampshire has developed a welfare reform model emphasizing the importance of "work first". While many low income single parent families are now working, much of the employment is in jobs providing earnings below the poverty level. Typically, these jobs do not include employer benefits such as health insurance.

II. The success of welfare reform depends both on helping welfare recipients to work steadily and on finding better jobs. Not enough attention has been paid to how low income families will achieve long-term economic independence and self-sufficiency.

III. A key question facing New Hampshire's welfare reform program is the role of post-secondary education. Rigorous research on welfare-to-work programs shows that programs which have succeeded in helping welfare recipients find higher paying jobs with benefits have included a job training and post-secondary education component. Even though it is clear that education improves earnings, New Hampshire has minimized the role of education and has made it extremely difficult for welfare recipients to pursue education.

IV. The architects of welfare reform in our state must examine the role of post-secondary education in its welfare reform. New Hampshire must develop welfare reform that allows more recipients to escape low paying jobs and government dependency. Not enough attention has been paid either to the importance of post-secondary education nor the possible ways the state could support access to post-secondary education under TANF. Therefore, the general court finds it necessary to study the issue of post-secondary education as it relates both to the TANF and low-income population.122:

122:2 Commission Established. There is established a commission to study the relationship between postsecondary education and recipients of temporary assistance to needy families.

(b) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house.

(d) The commissioner of the regional community technical college system, or designee.

(e) The chairperson of the public higher education study committee, or designee.

II. The commission may appoint additional members or solicit the advice and consultation of individuals as deemed necessary.

III. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation, except that legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate.

I. The commission shall study the relationship between post-secondary educational opportunities in the state and their effect on recipients of temporary assistance to needy families, including but not limited to the effect of obtaining a postsecondary education on an individual's ability to thrive without the support or assistance of temporary assistance to needy families.

II. The commission shall study, take public testimony, make recommendations and prepare a report on issues including, but not limited to: how successful New Hampshire's welfare reform program has been in helping recipients achieve long-term economic independence, what education options are currently open to recipients, and what options are possible to increase access to post-secondary education for low income parents. The study commission shall seek, and invite by letter, input from the departments of health and human services and employment security, the university of New Hampshire school of health and human services, New Hampshire Legal Assistance, the regional community-technical college system, the New Hampshire Job Training council, the New Hampshire Women's Lobby, and the commission on the status of women pursuant to RSA 19-B. The commission shall also welcome input from other interested parties.

III. The commission may study any related issues which they deem to be in furtherance of the commission's objectives.

122:5 Chairperson; Organization. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.

122:6 Report. The commission shall file an interim report of its findings no later than November 1, 2000, and shall file a final report, including any recommendations for proposed legislation, to the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2001.