§1314a Measurement and Reporting of Welfare Receipt

Summary

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, working with the Secretary of Agriculture, to create standard measures that show how many families use welfare, how much they depend on it, and how long they get benefits. The law says the federal government must try to cut how often and how long families rely on welfare, help families become economically self-sufficient, and help people get education, job skills, child care, and other supports. HHS must check what data exist, what more is needed, and give an interim report within 2 years after October 31, 1994 to the named House and Senate committees. Sets up a 12-member Advisory Board (equal appointments by the House, the Senate, and the President) made of experts, state and local agency reps, and welfare groups to advise HHS on the measures and reports. Board members are unpaid but get travel pay, and HHS can loan staff to help. HHS must prepare yearly reports on means-tested programs (including aid to families with dependent children, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, and state/local general assistance). Each report must show indicators, trends, predictors, causes, patterns of using multiple programs, other relevant facts, and recommendations for laws that do not cut eligibility or add access barriers. The first report is due no later than 3 years after October 31, 1994, and then yearly. The law is called the Welfare Indicators Act of 1994.