This bill mandates the Office of Homelessness Prevention (OHP) within the Department of Community Affairs to contract with county agencies or nonprofits in each county to provide personal identification and coordinate the issuance of birth certificates for individuals experiencing homelessness. The bill allows these agencies or nonprofits to directly access and issue birth certificates from the State Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, ensuring that they notify the office of each issuance. This new provision aims to enhance the support and resources available to homeless individuals, facilitating their access to essential identification documents.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to be distributed among the contracted county agencies or nonprofits based on the homeless population in each county. This funding is intended to support the implementation of the bill's objectives and improve the overall effectiveness of services provided to individuals facing homelessness. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:27D-287.5