Report Title:

Self-Sufficiency Standard

Description:

Directs the DHS to contract for development of a self-sufficiency standard for Hawaii by 1/1/04. Standard shall reflect the income an employed adult requires to meet family needs and shall be distributed to state agencies that counsel individuals seeking education, training, or employment.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

870

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING to the establishment of a self-sufficiency standard.

 

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Part   .

ESTABLISHMENT of a self-sufficiency standard

§346-A Definition. For purposes of this part, "self-sufficiency standard" means a calculation of the income an employed adult requires to meet family needs, including housing, food, dependent care, transportation, and medical costs.

§346-B Self-sufficiency standard. (a) The department shall contract with a private consultant to develop a self-sufficiency standard by January 1, 2004. This standard shall take into account geographical variations in costs, the age and number of children in a family, and any state or federal public assistance benefit received by a family.

(b) Not later than March 1, 2004, the department shall distribute the self-sufficiency standard to all state agencies that counsel individuals who are seeking education, training, or employment. Those state agencies shall use the self-sufficiency standard to assist individuals in establishing personal financial goals and estimating the amount of income the individual may need to support the individual's family.

(c) The self-sufficiency standard shall not be used to analyze the success or failure of any program or determine eligibility or benefit levels for any state or federal public assistance programs."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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