Committee reviews H 91 implementation plan, requests administration cost estimates as bill shifts from hotels to shelters

A legislative Health & Welfare committee reviewed draft H 91 and pressed state social-services officials and community action agencies for clearer timelines, estimated administrative costs and spending plans tied to a proposed shift away from widespread hotel and motel placements toward expanded shelter capacity.

The committee examined the bill's required two-part implementation reports from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and a sequence of regional needs assessments from community action agencies. Members also discussed appropriation lines in the draft, including a $10,000,000 transition appropriation, a $6.5 million allocation to DCF for distribution to community action agencies, a $500,000 allotment for contractual and system-transformation assistance and a $3,000,000 proposed appropriation to DCF for shelter development or capacity needs. Committee members noted an existing $30,000,000 hotel/motel General Assistance program that the bill would seek to reduce over time.

Nut graf: The bill sets deadlines and reporting requirements intended to create a more coordinated intake, eligibility and shelter system across regions, and it would shift funding and operations away from short-term motel placements toward more formal shelter beds and supportive services. Committee members focused on how much will be needed for administration, how appropriated funds would be used in the near term, and whether the proposal will…