New Hampshire HB 1566: directing the department of health and human services to seek clarification from the Administration for Children and Families regarding the use of TANF reserve funds and repealing the requirement that the department of health and human services' biennial budget request include funding for certain child care workforce programs.

Bill Text

HB 1566-FN-A - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

11Mar2026... 0697h

2026 SESSION

 26-2487

 05/08

HOUSE BILL 1566-FN-A

AN ACT directing the department of health and human services to seek clarification from the Administration for Children and Families regarding the use of TANF reserve funds and repealing the requirement that the department of health and human services' biennial budget request include funding for certain child care workforce programs.

SPONSORS: Rep. Wallner, Merr. 19; Rep. Muns, Rock. 29; Rep. D. Paige, Carr. 1; Rep. M. Smith, Straf. 10; Rep. Simpson, Rock. 33; Rep. Telerski, Hills. 11; Rep. Preece, Hills. 17; Rep. Stringham, Graf. 3; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Innis, Dist 7

COMMITTEE: Finance

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 The bill directs the department to seek clarification from the federal government regarding the use of TANF reserve funds and to request a waiver for certain uses of such funds that the federal government determines as prohibited uses. This bill also repeals the requirement that the department include funding for certain child care workforce programs in its biennial budget request.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

11Mar2026... 0697h 26-2487

 05/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT directing the department of health and human services to seek clarification from the Administration for Children and Families regarding the use of TANF reserve funds and repealing the requirement that the department of health and human services' biennial budget request include funding for certain child care workforce programs.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 Request for Clarification Regarding Use of TANF Reserve Funds. No later than August 1, 2026, the department of health and human services shall seek clarification from the federal Administration for Children and Families on the specific uses to which federal TANF reserve funds may be put, as well as any conditions surrounding their transfer to other funds, including the Child Care and Development Fund. The department shall specifically seek clarification regarding the ways in which TANF reserve funds may be used to support recruitment and retention of child care employees, including any alternatives to employment bonuses paid to providers. Within one month of receipt of the Administration's response, the department shall submit said response to the joint fiscal committee and the house and senate finance committees. If the Administration determines that such funds shall not be used for the purposes of this act, the department shall seek a waiver from any requirements prohibiting such use of the funds. The department shall seek such waiver within one month of the Administration's determination that TANF reserve funds shall not be used for the purposes of this act. 

 2 Repeal. 2025, 141:431, VI, directing the department of health and human services to include the amount necessary to fully fund certain child care workforce programs in its biennial budget request, is repealed. 

 3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.

 LBA

 26-2487

 03/13/2026

HB 1566-FN-A- FISCAL NOTE

AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2026-0697h)

AN ACT directing the department of health and human services to seek clarification from the Administration for Children and Families regarding the use of TANF reserve funds and repealing the requirement that the department of health and human services' biennial budget request include funding for certain child care workforce programs.

FISCAL IMPACT: 

 The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant states this bill has no fiscal impact on state, county 
 and local expenditures or revenue.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

 None