205:1 Reporting; Management of Social Security and Veteran's Benefits for Children in Placement Through the Department of Health and Human Services; Appropriation.

I. The department of health and human services shall provide a report relative to management of social security and veterans' benefits for children in placement to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the chairpersons of the house children and family law committee, the house finance committee, the senate judiciary committee, the senate finance committee, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library. This report shall contain a budget proposal for the biennium ending June 30, 2027, for the purposes of implementing and managing social security payments and veteran's benefits for children in placement through the department of health and human services, and shall be submitted on or before December 31, 2024. To assist in the preparation of this report, and to assist the department with implementation of the report's recommendations, including the budget proposal for the biennium ending June 30, 2027, the department shall hire a consultant with knowledge of other states' efforts to manage such payments and benefits for children in placement.

II. There is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services the sum of $150,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2025, for the purpose of hiring the consultant required by paragraph I. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

205:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: July 12, 2024

Effective Date: July 12, 2024

205:1 Reporting; Management of Social Security and Veteran's Benefits for Children in Placement Through the Department of Health and Human Services; Appropriation.

I. The department of health and human services shall provide a report relative to management of social security and veterans' benefits for children in placement to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the chairpersons of the house children and family law committee, the house finance committee, the senate judiciary committee, the senate finance committee, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library. This report shall contain a budget proposal for the biennium ending June 30, 2027, for the purposes of implementing and managing social security payments and veteran's benefits for children in placement through the department of health and human services, and shall be submitted on or before December 31, 2024. To assist in the preparation of this report, and to assist the department with implementation of the report's recommendations, including the budget proposal for the biennium ending June 30, 2027, the department shall hire a consultant with knowledge of other states' efforts to manage such payments and benefits for children in placement.

II. There is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services the sum of $150,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2025, for the purpose of hiring the consultant required by paragraph I. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

205:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: July 12, 2024

Effective Date: July 12, 2024