Relative to residency status.
The bill specifies that individuals in particular circumstances, such as being in a hospital, correctional facility, treatment center, or emergency housing, do not lose their residency status. This clarification is crucial for municipalities as it helps define responsibility for providing assistance and addressing homelessness. Additionally, should a person leave emergency housing voluntarily or be removed, they will remain a resident of the originating municipality for a period of 30 days, which further stabilizes their legal status during a transitional period.
Senate Bill 110 aims to clarify residency status for transient individuals with regards to local assistance provisions. The bill outlines specific conditions under which a person's residency is determined, particularly focusing on situations involving emergency housing. It seeks to ensure that those unable to support themselves while temporarily residing in a municipality can receive adequate assistance without inadvertently changing their residency status.
Discussions around SB 110 reflect concerns about how it may impact local welfare programs and responsibilities. Supporters argue that the bill provides a necessary framework for accountability among municipalities, reducing confusion around residency status while promoting cooperation in assistance efforts. However, some critics worry that the bill might impose burdens on municipalities with limited resources for emergency housing. This concern, coupled with the bill's potential to centralize decision-making regarding residency and assistance, has led to differing opinions on its overall efficacy.
The fiscal impact of SB 110 on local and state budgets is currently indeterminable, prompting discussions around its potential costs and benefits for municipalities with varying capacities to assist transient individuals. The New Hampshire Municipal Association has expressed concern about the complexity of welfare budgets required to incorporate these new regulations.