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F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Roberts

 

DATE TYPED:

03/14/03

 

HB

HJM 114

 

SHORT TITLE:

Marriage Programs for TANF Recipients

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Weber

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

 

 

NFI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

House Joint Memorial 114 (HJM 114) makes the following statements:

 

  • One of the three main goals of the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, better known as welfare reform, is to encourage marriage and the formation and maintenance of two-parent families;
  • Marriage and family are essential to the well-being of our social, political, economic and civic institutions, benefitting not only the immediate family but also society as a whole;
  • It has been shown that people who are married enjoy happier, healthier and longer lives, more financial security and better mental health and that married people are more productive at work and are involved in relationships that have less domestic violence and less substance abuse;
  • Research shows that teaching fundamental relationship skills, such as communication and conflict resolution skills, increases the likelihood of the health, happiness and longevity of a marriage;
  • The human services department, in fiscal year 2003, contracted with New Mexico state university to provide programs to recipients of temporary assistance for needy families to strengthen families through parenting classes in Dona Ana, Valencia and Otero counties; and
  • Parents and parents-to-be receiving temporary assistance for needy families funds across New Mexico could benefit from similar parenting programs.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the human services department be requested to expand its contract with New Mexico State University to offer parenting classes statewide for temporary assistance for needy families recipients; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of human services.

 

      Significant Issues

 

The TANF budget in the Income Support Division of the Human Services Department contains an appropriation of $1 million for the same or similar services.

 

MW/njw