Helping Americans Succeed by Measuring Outcomes Act

To amend title IV–A of the Social Security Act, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Helping Americans Succeed by Measuring Outcomes Act 2. Promoting accountability by measuring work outcomes (a) In general Section 407 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 607 (a) Performance accountability and work outcomes (1) Purpose The purpose of this subsection is to provide for the establishment of performance accountability measures to assess the effectiveness of States in increasing employment, retention, and advancement among families receiving assistance under the State program funded under this part or any other State program funded with qualified State expenditures. (2) In general A State to which a grant is made under section 403 for a fiscal year shall achieve the requisite level of performance on an indicator described in paragraph (3)(B) of this subsection for the fiscal year. (3) Measuring state performance (A) In general Each State, in consultation with the Secretary, shall collect and submit to the Secretary the information necessary to measure the level of performance of the State for each indicator described in subparagraph (B), for fiscal year 2020 and each fiscal year thereafter, and the Secretary shall use the information collected for fiscal year 2020 to establish the baseline level of performance for each State for each such indicator. (B) Indicators of performance The indicators described in this subparagraph, for a fiscal year, are the following: (i) The percentage of individuals who were work-eligible individuals as of the time of exit from the program, who are in unsubsidized employment during the 2nd quarter after the exit. (ii) The percentage of individuals who were work-eligible individuals as of the time of exit from the program, who are in unsubsidized employment during the 2nd and 4th quarters after the exit. (iii) The median earnings of individuals who were work-eligible individuals as of the time of exit from the program, who are in unsubsidized employment during the 2nd quarter after the exit. (iv) The percentage of individuals who have not attained 24 years of age, are attending high school or enrolled in an equivalency program, and are work-eligible individuals or were work-eligible individuals as of the time of exit from the program, who obtain a high school degree or its recognized equivalent while receiving assistance under the State program funded under this part or within 1 year after the exit. (C) Levels of performance (i) In general For each State submitting a State plan pursuant to section 402(a), there shall be established, in accordance with this subparagraph, levels of performance for each of the indicators described in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph. (ii) Weight The weight assigned to such an indicator shall be the following: (I) 40 percent, in the case of the indicator described in subparagraph (B)(i). (II) 25 percent, in the case of the indicator described in subparagraph (B)(ii)(II). (III) 25 percent, in the case of the indicator described in subparagraph (B)(iii). (IV) 10 percent, in the case of the indicator described in subparagraph (B)(iv). (iii) Agreement on requisite performance level for each indicator (I) In general The Secretary and the State shall jointly establish the requisite level of performance for the State with respect to each indicator described in clause (ii), for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2023, and in the case of each of fiscal years 2021 through 2023, shall do so before the beginning of the respective fiscal year. (II) Requirements in establishing performance levels In establishing the requisite levels of performance, the State and the Secretary shall— (aa) take into account how levels involved compare with the levels established for other States; (bb) ensure the levels involved are adjusted, using the objective statistical model referred to in clause (v), based on— (AA) the differences among States in economic conditions, including differences in unemployment rates or employment losses or gains in particular industries; (BB) the characteristics of participants on entry into the program, including indicators of prior work history, lack of educational or occupational skills attainment, or other factors that may affect employment and earnings; and (cc) take into account the extent to which the levels involved promote continuous improvement in performance by each State. (iv) Revisions based on economic conditions and individuals receiving assistance during the fiscal year The Secretary shall, in accordance with the objective statistical model referred to in clause (v), revise the requisite levels of performance for a State and a fiscal year to reflect the economic conditions and characteristics of the relevant individuals in the State during the fiscal year. (v) Statistical adjustment model The Secretary shall use an objective statistical model to make adjustments to the requisite levels of performance for the economic conditions and characteristics of the relevant individuals, and shall consult with the Secretary of Labor to develop a model that is the same as or similar to the model described in section 116(b)(3)(A)(viii) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(3)(A)(viii) (vi) Definition of exit In this subsection, the term ‘exit’ means, with respect to a State program funded under this part, ceases to receive assistance under the program. (D) Regulations In order to ensure nationwide comparability of data, the Secretary, after consultation with the Secretary of Labor and with States, shall issue regulations governing the establishment of the performance accountability system under this subsection and a template for performance reports to be used by all States. . 3. Transitional phase-out of benefits for families to support success in work Section 402(a)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 602(a)(1)(B) (vi) The document shall include a description of how the State allows for a transitional period of benefits, such as through temporary earned income disregards or a gradual reduction in the monthly benefit amount, for an individual receiving assistance who obtains employment and becomes ineligible due to an increase in income obtained through the employment or through an increase in wages. . 4. Effective date The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on October 1, 2019.

Summary: Helping Americans Succeed by Measuring Outcomes Act This bill (1) establishes certain performance measures for states receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program grants, and (2) requires states to specify how they will allow for transitional periods of benefits for recipients who become ineligible for TANF benefits due to employment or an increase in wages.