Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Early Learning & Human Services Committee |
HB 2113
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Creating a task force on poverty.
Sponsors: Representatives Walkinshaw, Walsh, Kagi, Johnson, Appleton, Sawyer, Kilduff, Stanford, Jinkins, Zeiger, Santos, Ortiz-Self, Pollet and Ormsby.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/18/15
Staff: Ashley Paintner (786-7120).
Background:
The Department of Social and Health Services reports that nearly one out of every four Washington residents turns to the Economic Services Administration (ESA) for assistance with cash, food, child support, child care, disability determination, transition to employment, and other services. The ESA's core services include: poverty reduction and self-sufficiency, child support enforcement and financial recovery, and disability determination. The ESA is tasked with helping low-income people meet their basic needs and achieve economic independence through cash grants, food, and medical assistance; employment-focused services; and subsidized child care. Major programs include: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and WorkFirst (Washington’s Welfare to Work program); Basic Food (formerly the Food Stamp Program); Aged, Blind, or Disabled; Pregnant Women’s Assistance; Refugee Cash Assistance; Working Connections Child Care; and medical assistance.
Summary of Bill:
A Legislative task force on poverty is created. The task force must develop a comprehensive plan for more effective and efficient poverty relief solutions through identification of pathways out of poverty. The plan must establish goals and outcome measures and address system change, funding barriers, and the individualized approach to poverty relief. The task force is to meet on a quarterly basis. The task force must provide a report on its initial findings to the Legislature by December 1, 2015, and the final report is due December 1, 2016.
Membership of the task forces includes:
two members appointed by the President of the Senate from each of the two largest caucuses in the Senate;
two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives from each of the two largest caucuses in the House of Representatives; and
eleven members appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives from nonprofit and for-profit private sector interests with extensive knowledge in serving persons living in poverty.
The task force must choose an executive committee to lead the task force and may appoint subcommittees.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.