2014 -- S 2584

========

LC004389

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE TRANSITION

PROGRAM

     Introduced By: Senators Conley, Pichardo, Goldin, Metts, and Cool Rumsey

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 40-5.2 of the General Laws entitled "The Rhode Island Works

Program" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     40-5.2-20.1. Pilot childcare assistance transition program established. -- (a) Findings.

- Rhode Island provides childcare assistance to working families at or below one hundred eighty

percent (180%) of the federal poverty level. Under current guidelines, if a member of the family

is offered a raise, or is offered the opportunity to work additional hours, and the added income

puts the family’s income even slightly over the threshold of eligibility; then the family stands to

completely lose the child care assistance benefit. This structure potentially creates a financial

disincentive to work and earn more.

     (b) Pilot Program. - To encourage the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars and promote

economic self-sufficiency among working families receiving state child care, the director of the

state department of human services, henceforth referred to as the "director," shall develop a plan

for a pilot childcare assistance transition program whereby working families with incomes at or

below one hundred eighty percent (180%) receiving childcare assistance under the terms of § 40-

5.2-20 shall remain eligible for assistance so long as income is at or below two hundred twenty-

five percent (225%) of the federal poverty level and provided that the family requires child care

in order to work at paid employment.

     (c) Plan Submission. - The director shall submit a plan for the pilot childcare assistance

transition program to the governor, the speaker of the house, the president of the senate, the

majority leaders of the house and senate and the chairpersons of the house and senate finance

committees by January 15, 2015. The plan shall include eligibility criteria for participation in the

pilot program, the cost estimates to implement the program, the estimated increase in wages

enabled through participation in the pilot program, and other information deemed necessary by

the director.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC004389

========

LC004389 - Page 2 of 2

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE TRANSITION

PROGRAM

***

     This act would establish the pilot childcare assistance transition program.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC004389

========

LC004389 - Page 3 of 2