The proposed bill establishes a three-year pilot program called the Actionable Help And New Dignity for Upward Progression (A HAND UP) Act, aimed at assisting individuals transitioning from public assistance benefits to the workforce. The Department of Job and Family Services will select four counties—one metropolitan, one midsize, and two rural (including one in the Appalachian region)—to implement the program. Key components of the program include establishing eligibility criteria, providing stipends for health care and child care, offering employer subsidies, and creating a mentorship and financial literacy program for participants. The Department is also tasked with developing a digital application to facilitate participant engagement and resource connection.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Department to conduct a study on participants post-program to assess their employment status, compensation, and self-sufficiency, with findings to be reported annually to the General Assembly. The bill appropriates $10 million from the General Revenue Fund for the program's support in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The Director of Job and Family Services is required to certify any unspent funds for reappropriation in the following fiscal year, ensuring continued support for the pilot program.