Bill S.99, introduced by Senators Douglass and Beck, mandates the Agency of Human Services to conduct a comprehensive analysis of benefit cliffs within Vermont's public assistance structure. The bill requires the agency to submit a detailed report by November 1, 2025, to the relevant House and Senate committees. This report will include an inventory of public assistance benefits and programs, an analysis of the financial impact of gross earnings on net resources for specific household configurations, and policy recommendations aimed at reducing or eliminating earnings ranges that negatively affect economic mobility for households receiving public assistance.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, ensuring that the Agency of Human Services has adequate time to gather data and formulate recommendations. The focus of the bill is to enhance the economic mobility of individuals and families reliant on public assistance by addressing the challenges posed by benefit cliffs, where increases in earnings can lead to a reduction in net resources.