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<section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-323" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program">
  <level label="a">
    <text>The Department shall hire an outside consultant to conduct a review of FIP to assess the extent to which FIP is:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>implementing policies equitably; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>employing best practices to achieve the best outcomes possible for children and their parents, including by considering that many FIP recipients are experiencing or have experienced significant trauma.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The consultant hired under this section shall demonstrate knowledge of the federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families programs.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>At a minimum, the review conducted under this section should include an assessment of the following:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>program design, including core beliefs, goals, objectives, service delivery model, regulations, program rules, and performance measures;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>contract design and execution, including:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>payment structure;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>incentives; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>service delivery approach and performance with a focus on placement in high–quality jobs with wages that meet or exceed 150% of the State minimum wage;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>program outcomes that, to the extent practicable, are disaggregated by race and ethnicity;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>an examination of how the State’s use of unpaid work experience compares to other states and alternative program options;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>documentation of innovative and evidence–based practices being implemented in other states; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>all assessment tools used by the Department under § 5–309(a)(1) of this subtitle with a focus on recommending changes needed for the assessment to be conducted in a manner that is:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>trauma–informed;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>antiracist; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>individualized, empowering, and client–centered.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>To receive meaningful input on FIP in accordance with the review conducted under this section, including recommendations on methods to strengthen FIP, the Department shall consult:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>stakeholders, including current and former recipients;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>community–based organizations; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>other interested parties.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>The review conducted under this section shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>include a summary of:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>the strengths and weaknesses of FIP;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>recommendations for improving FIP; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>any necessary legislative or administrative changes to make the improvements; and</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <level label="i">
        <text>on or before October 1, 2024, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, be submitted to the General Assembly; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>be published on the Department’s website.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>Until the Department has fully implemented, to the extent practicable, the recommendations of the final review submitted under subsection (e) of this section, beginning in calendar year 2024 and each year thereafter, the Department shall report, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Appropriations Committee on the plans and progress for implementing the recommendations made in the review.</text>
  </level>
</section>
