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2020 SESSION

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SB 991 New Americans, Office of; created within Department of Social Services.

Introduced by: Ghazala F. Hashmi | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Department of Social Services; Office of New Americans created. Establishes the Office of New Americans within the Department of Social Services and the Office of New Americans Advisory Board to assist with immigrant integration within the Commonwealth on an economic, social, and cultural level. The Office shall provide (i) advice and assistance regarding the citizenship application process; (ii) assistance with securing employment, housing, and services for which such persons may be eligible; (iii) information to localities and immigration service organizations about state programs that help such persons find and secure employment, housing, and services for which they may be eligible; and (iv) information to localities and immigration service organizations regarding health epidemics and unlawful predatory actions, such as human trafficking, gang recruitment, and fraudulent financial and other schemes, to which communities of such persons may be especially vulnerable. The Advisory Board shall report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on the activities of the Office of New Americans and provide recommendations for improving state policies and programs to support the economic, linguistic, and civic integration of new Americans throughout the Commonwealth. This bill is identical to HB 1209.

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

Department of Social Services; Office of New Americans created. Establishes the Office of New Americans (the Office) within the Department of Social Services to implement a statewide strategy to promote and assist immigrant integration within the Commonwealth on an economic, social, and cultural level. The bill also establishes an 18-member Office of New Americans Advisory Board to advise the Governor, Cabinet members, and the General Assembly on policies and programs implemented by the Office. The provisions of the bill are contingent on funding in a general appropriation act.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Department of Social Services; Office of New Americans created. Establishes the Office of New Americans within the Department of Social Services, as well as an advisory board, to assist immigrant integration within the Commonwealth on an economic, social, and cultural level. The Office shall provide (i) advice and assistance regarding the citizenship application process; (ii) assistance with securing employment, housing, and services for which such persons may be eligible; (iii) information to localities and immigration service organizations about state programs that help such persons find and secure employment, housing, and services for which they may be eligible; and (iv) information to localities and immigration service organizations regarding health epidemics and unlawful predatory actions, such as human trafficking, gang recruitment, and fraudulent financial and other schemes, to which communities of such persons may be especially vulnerable. The Advisory Board shall report to the Director of the Office, who will submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an annual executive summary of the interim activity and work of the Board no later than the first day of each regular session of the General Assembly. The bill renames the Office of Newcomer Services as the Division of Newcomer Services and establishes the division as a subdivision of the Office of New Americans.