SB384: relative to eligibility for child care assistance for individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree.

SB 384-FN – AS INTRODUCED

2012 SESSION

12-2911

05/09

SENATE BILL 384-FN

AN ACT relative to eligibility for child care assistance for individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree.

SPONSORS: Sen. Lambert, Dist 13; Sen. Gallus, Dist 1; Sen. Houde, Dist 5; Sen. Kelly, Dist 10; Sen. Larsen, Dist 15; Sen. Luther, Dist 12; Sen. Merrill, Dist 21; Sen. Odell, Dist 8; Rep. Twombly, Hills 25

COMMITTEE: Finance

ANALYSIS

This bill provides for child care assistance to individuals who are pursuing bachelor’s degrees under the New Hampshire employment program.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

12-2911

05/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twelve

AN ACT relative to eligibility for child care assistance for individuals pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Hampshire Employment Program and Family Assistance Program; Postsecondary Educational Activities; Child Care. Amend RSA 167:85, IV(i) to read as follows:

(i) Postsecondary educational activities. The commissioner may refer a participant to postsecondary education if it appears that postsecondary education will contribute to the family’s ability to achieve long-term economic independence. All postsecondary education shall emphasize vocational skills training for participants in a specific occupational area with priority given to the needs of New Hampshire employers. The commissioner shall conduct an assessment for referral to postsecondary educational programs to determine the appropriateness of the post secondary education in accordance with the criteria established by the commissioner by rules adopted pursuant to RSA 541-A. Final approval of the postsecondary educational program shall be the responsibility of the commissioner. An extension beyond the federal limitation may be granted if deemed necessary in order to provide a successful transition to employment and long term economic independence. A participant in a postsecondary educational program shall be eligible for child care assistance as a support service under RSA 167:86 for the duration of the academic program, provided that the course of study shall not result in a degree or certificate higher than a 4-year bachelor’s degree.

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

LBAO

12-2911

12/21/11

SB 384-FN - FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT relative to eligibility for child care assistance for individuals pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Department of Health and Human Services states this bill will increase state expenditures by $2,985,912 in FY 2013 and by $5,971,824 in each year thereafter. There will be no fiscal impact on state, and county or local revenue, or county and local expenditures.

METHODOLOGY:

The Department states this bill increases eligibility for child care services from 2 to 4 years for a parent pursuing postsecondary education. The department indicated child care services are currently provided to approximately 1,356 children whose parents are pursuing postsecondary education or training. The average monthly cost per child for these child care services is $367, and this amount is funded 66% with federal funds and 34% with state general funds. The Department assumes in each year one-half, or 678 children, would have parents who would choose to extend childcare services for an additional two years in order to achieve a bachelor degree. Based on this assumption, the Department estimated the fiscal impact as follows:

FY 2013

FY 2014

FY 2015

FY 2016

Number of Children

678

1,356

1,356

1,356

Average Monthly Cost

$367

$367

$367

$367

Monthly Cost

$248,826

$497,652

$497,652

$497,652

Annual Cost (12 months)

$2,985,912

$5,971,824

$5,971,824

$5,971,824

Federal Funds 66%

$1,970,702

$3,941,404

$3,941,404

$3,941,404

State General Funds 34%

$1,015,210

$2,030,420

$2,030,420

$2,030,420