Substitute House Bill No. 6576 is designed to provide enhanced support for grandparents and other nonparent relatives who are raising children. The bill proposes amendments to the Department of Social Services' administration of the Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) program, ensuring that the payment standard for families with a nonparent caretaker relative as the head of the household is equal to the monthly foster care rate paid by the Department of Children and Families, which varies based on the child's age and medical condition. This insertion is intended to offer more equitable financial support to these caretaker relatives.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the family resource center program, coordinated by the Department of Education and the Department of Social Services, to include nonparent caretaker relatives and legal guardians within the definition of a family. This expansion allows them access to comprehensive child care services, educational and literacy services, and supportive services that were previously available only to parents. The bill also mandates referrals to community programs that focus on childhood development and positive parenting practices. A deletion in the bill removes an "and" to accommodate the addition of a new clause. The bill, which has a fiscal impact of at least $16.7 million annually on the TFA Program, is set to take effect on July 1, 2023, for the TFA payment increase and on October 1, 2023, for the other provisions, and has received a Joint Favorable report from the Aging Committee.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
AGE Joint Favorable:
File No. 72: