Bill > S09874

This bill enacts the Health, Opportunity, and Personal Empowerment (HOPE) pilot program, which aims to help individuals and families improve their self-sufficiency by allowing them to apply for multiple food and anti-poverty benefits simultaneously online. The program, overseen by the commissioners of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the Department of Health, will fund pilot projects in eligible communities for one-year periods between fiscal years 2026 and 2029. These projects will enable eligible individuals, defined as those with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level, experiencing food insecurity, or facing other economic hardships, to establish "HOPE accounts" for savings and direct deposit, access job training and placement services via mobile applications, and learn about and apply for various public and philanthropic programs related to health, nutrition, housing, and income. Additionally, participants can receive assistance with filing for tax credits, obtain necessary technology and internet access, and receive in-person support if needed. The program also facilitates "HOPE action plans," voluntary agreements between individuals and government/non-profit organizations to create long-term strategies for earning, learning, and saving, with equal accountability for all parties. The bill appropriates $49 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund these pilot projects, with a portion specifically allocated to persistent poverty counties, defined as those with 20% or more of their population living in poverty over the past 30 years. The program emphasizes data security and privacy, ensuring that client information is protected and not shared with immigration enforcement agencies, and it will not decrease existing benefit levels or increase the difficulty of accessing assistance. Finally, the commissioners are required to report on the results of these pilot projects annually to the governor and legislative leaders.