HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2685

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 2

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that public assistance programs currently limit eligibility to those with few or no assets.  The function of asset limits is to ensure public resources reach individuals and families most in need.  However, there is growing recognition that asset limits can discourage savings and prevent families from making investments that can help them escape poverty.  Assets, such as personal savings, are precisely the kind of resources that allow families to move off and stay off of public assistance programs.

     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 for 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 relating to asset limits; and

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

     The department shall submit a report of 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, 2030.


 


 

Report Title:

Department of Human Services; Public Assistance Programs; Asset Limit; Study

 

Description:

Requires DHS to conduct a study on asset limits for public assistance programs.  Requires a report to the legislature.  Effective July 1, 2030.  (SD2)

 

 

 

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