1 Statement of Findings. The general court hereby finds that:

I. In February of 2021, the state released a study, entitled "Constraints on New Hampshire's Workforce Recovery that focused on key factors that impact the decision-making of households and that may serve as constraints to returning to the workforce or expanding their participation. The report provided several policy recommendations that would remove barriers that families and individuals experience including transportation challenges.

II. For New Hampshire businesses, there is an untapped source of potential employees - individuals who want to work, but cannot afford to or do not have transportation means to get to and from work.

III. In order to begin work away from home, or work additional hours, individuals can incur higher transportation costs, which can in combination with other increased expenses or benefit losses, disincentivize increased workforce participation.

IV. Not having reliable transportation and childcare are the top barriers to employment for parents who are participating in the department's employment program, and nearly half do not own a vehicle and cannot afford one. Public transportation is not available statewide. The lack of reliable transportation is the second most common reason for families to seek public assistance.

2 New Section; Car Ownership Pilot Program. Amend RSA 167 by inserting after section 77-g the following new section:

167:77-h Car Ownership Pilot Program. The department shall establish a car ownership pilot program for participants in the New Hampshire employment and family assistance program. The department shall identify and contract with a qualified vendor to acquire quality cars that meet program standards for efficiency and reliability through donation, auction or other means, refurbish them as necessary, and provide clear title in the name of select and eligible participants of the department's employment program. To be eligible for the car ownership program, the participant must be receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families cash assistance, be participating in the department's employment program, have a valid driver's license, have a department-approved individualized work plan, and lack access to transportation that is preventing the individual from entering the workforce. The department shall determine other eligibility criteria for success. Further expansion of the program shall be subject to available funding, access to a supply of suitable vehicles, and assessment of program outcomes and objectives. On or before November 1, 2024, and annually thereafter for the duration of the pilot program, the department shall provide a report regarding the pilot program to the oversight committee on health and human services established in RSA 126-A:13.

3 Appropriation; Car Ownership Pilot Program. For the biennium ending June 30, 2025, the sum of $220,000 is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services for the purpose of administering the pilot program established in section 2 of this act. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.

1 Statement of Findings. The general court hereby finds that:

I. In February of 2021, the state released a study, entitled "Constraints on New Hampshire's Workforce Recovery that focused on key factors that impact the decision-making of households and that may serve as constraints to returning to the workforce or expanding their participation. The report provided several policy recommendations that would remove barriers that families and individuals experience including transportation challenges.

II. For New Hampshire businesses, there is an untapped source of potential employees - individuals who want to work, but cannot afford to or do not have transportation means to get to and from work.

III. In order to begin work away from home, or work additional hours, individuals can incur higher transportation costs, which can in combination with other increased expenses or benefit losses, disincentivize increased workforce participation.

IV. Not having reliable transportation and childcare are the top barriers to employment for parents who are participating in the department's employment program, and nearly half do not own a vehicle and cannot afford one. Public transportation is not available statewide. The lack of reliable transportation is the second most common reason for families to seek public assistance.

2 New Section; Car Ownership Pilot Program. Amend RSA 167 by inserting after section 77-g the following new section:

167:77-h Car Ownership Pilot Program. The department shall establish a car ownership pilot program for participants in the New Hampshire employment and family assistance program. The department shall identify and contract with a qualified vendor to acquire quality cars that meet program standards for efficiency and reliability through donation, auction or other means, refurbish them as necessary, and provide clear title in the name of select and eligible participants of the department's employment program. To be eligible for the car ownership program, the participant must be receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families cash assistance, be participating in the department's employment program, have a valid driver's license, have a department-approved individualized work plan, and lack access to transportation that is preventing the individual from entering the workforce. The department shall determine other eligibility criteria for success. Further expansion of the program shall be subject to available funding, access to a supply of suitable vehicles, and assessment of program outcomes and objectives. On or before November 1, 2024, and annually thereafter for the duration of the pilot program, the department shall provide a report regarding the pilot program to the oversight committee on health and human services established in RSA 126-A:13.

3 Appropriation; Car Ownership Pilot Program. For the biennium ending June 30, 2025, the sum of $220,000 is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services for the purpose of administering the pilot program established in section 2 of this act. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.