1 Findings. The general court finds that:

I. Public assistance programs are binary systems that harm the New Hampshire workforce;

II. Establishing graduated systems for existing public assistance programs to titrate assistance for workers across the poverty spectrum creates a more comprehensive support for the citizens of New Hampshire; and

III. Such a system that will assist workers, their families, and the economy overall.

2 Department of Health and Human Services; Study on Graduated Public Assistance Mandated.

I. The department of health and human services shall seek a continuation of the 2021 economic analysis regarding mitigation of the benefits cliff effect for the possible creation, funding, and implementation of graduated, proportional public assistance programs for individuals who do not qualify for existing assistance within the state.

II. The department shall submit a report on its findings, including the performance of existing pilot programs related to the benefit cliff, and any proposed legislation to the applicable committees of the general court on or before July 1, 2024.

III. In its review, the department shall take consideration of qualifying and disqualifying conditions, such as income levels and hours worked per week. The department shall review the following programs:

(a) The supplemental nutrition assistance program, established under RSA 161:2, XIII, XIII-a, and XIII-b;

(b) The special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, established under RSA 132:12-a; and

(c) The financial assistance for needy families program, established under RSA 167.

IV. The sum of $200,000 is hereby appropriated to the department for the purpose of conducting a continued review and economic analysis of the cliff effect as set forth in this section. The funds shall be nonlapsing until June 30, 2025. The department may accept and expend matching federal funds without prior approval of the fiscal committee. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

3 Housing Finance Authority; Study on Graduated Public Assistance Mandated.

I. The housing finance authority shall study the creation, funding, and implementation of a graduated, proportional rental assistance housing choice voucher program for individuals who do not qualify for existing assistance within the state.

II. The housing finance authority shall submit a report on its findings and any proposed legislation to the applicable committees of the general court on or before November 1, 2023.

III. In its review, the housing finance authority shall take consideration of qualifying and disqualifying conditions such as income levels and hours worked per week.

4 New Hampshire Employment Security; Study on Graduated Public Assistance Mandated.

I. New Hampshire employment security shall study the creation, funding, and implementation of a graduated, proportional unemployment compensation program, based upon the program established in RSA 282-A, for individuals who do not qualify for existing assistance within the state.

II. New Hampshire employment security shall submit a report on its findings and any proposed legislation to the applicable committees of the general court on or before November 1, 2023.

III. In its review, New Hampshire employment security shall take consideration of qualifying and disqualifying conditions such as income levels and hours worked per week.

5 Department of Energy; Study on Graduated Public Assistance Mandated.

I. The department of energy shall study the creation, funding, and implementation of a graduated, proportional low income home energy assistance program for individuals who do not qualify for existing assistance within the state.

II. The department shall submit a report on its findings and any proposed legislation to the applicable committees of the general court on or before November 1, 2023.

III. In its review, the department shall take consideration of qualifying and disqualifying conditions such as income levels.

6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

1 Findings. The general court finds that:

I. Public assistance programs are binary systems that harm the New Hampshire workforce;

II. Establishing graduated systems for existing public assistance programs to titrate assistance for workers across the poverty spectrum creates a more comprehensive support for the citizens of New Hampshire; and

III. Such a system that will assist workers, their families, and the economy overall.

2 Department of Health and Human Services; Study on Graduated Public Assistance Mandated.

I. The department of health and human services shall seek a continuation of the 2021 economic analysis regarding mitigation of the benefits cliff effect for the possible creation, funding, and implementation of graduated, proportional public assistance programs for individuals who do not qualify for existing assistance within the state.

II. The department shall submit a report on its findings, including the performance of existing pilot programs related to the benefit cliff, and any proposed legislation to the applicable committees of the general court on or before July 1, 2024.

III. In its review, the department shall take consideration of qualifying and disqualifying conditions, such as income levels and hours worked per week. The department shall review the following programs:

(a) The supplemental nutrition assistance program, established under RSA 161:2, XIII, XIII-a, and XIII-b;

(b) The special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, established under RSA 132:12-a; and

(c) The financial assistance for needy families program, established under RSA 167.

IV. The sum of $200,000 is hereby appropriated to the department for the purpose of conducting a continued review and economic analysis of the cliff effect as set forth in this section. The funds shall be nonlapsing until June 30, 2025. The department may accept and expend matching federal funds without prior approval of the fiscal committee. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

3 Housing Finance Authority; Study on Graduated Public Assistance Mandated.

I. The housing finance authority shall study the creation, funding, and implementation of a graduated, proportional rental assistance housing choice voucher program for individuals who do not qualify for existing assistance within the state.

II. The housing finance authority shall submit a report on its findings and any proposed legislation to the applicable committees of the general court on or before November 1, 2023.

III. In its review, the housing finance authority shall take consideration of qualifying and disqualifying conditions such as income levels and hours worked per week.

4 New Hampshire Employment Security; Study on Graduated Public Assistance Mandated.

I. New Hampshire employment security shall study the creation, funding, and implementation of a graduated, proportional unemployment compensation program, based upon the program established in RSA 282-A, for individuals who do not qualify for existing assistance within the state.

II. New Hampshire employment security shall submit a report on its findings and any proposed legislation to the applicable committees of the general court on or before November 1, 2023.

III. In its review, New Hampshire employment security shall take consideration of qualifying and disqualifying conditions such as income levels and hours worked per week.

5 Department of Energy; Study on Graduated Public Assistance Mandated.

I. The department of energy shall study the creation, funding, and implementation of a graduated, proportional low income home energy assistance program for individuals who do not qualify for existing assistance within the state.

II. The department shall submit a report on its findings and any proposed legislation to the applicable committees of the general court on or before November 1, 2023.

III. In its review, the department shall take consideration of qualifying and disqualifying conditions such as income levels.

6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.