Creating an economic opportunity work group to address workforce shortages and economic stability

This bill creates an economic opportunity work group to address workforce shortages and economic stability. The bill directs the department of human services, the economic development authority, the department of workforce development, and the department of revenue to convene an interagency work group to collaboratively develop policy and system solutions to address benefits cliffs and other barriers and disincentives in public benefits programs that exacerbate workforce shortages, limit business growth, and impede economic opportunities and financial security for low-income families in the state. The work group shall obtain input from affected consumers to determine the priorities and challenges of low-income families, and from public and private stakeholders. The work group is tasked with holistically reviewing public benefits programs and the benefits cliffs to identify structural flaws, barriers, and disincentives in the public benefits system that make it difficult for workers to achieve self-sufficiency, and shall recommend restructuring and realignment opportunities across programs and agencies to improve employment access and economic stability for low-income families. The bill specifies tasks for the work group related to the benefits cliffs, and requires the work group to submit a report of findings, recommendations, and action steps to the governor and the general assembly by November 15, 2021.