Updated November 11, 2024 Forecast ’25 Special Report From education to the environment, from elections to energy, the stories in this State Legislatures News special report offer insights from NCSL experts on what lies ahead for state lawmakers in 2025. Civil and Criminal Justice Education Elections Energy Environment and Natural Resources Fiscal Health Human Services Labor and Employment Military and Veterans Affairs Technology Transportation State Legislatures News
Updated January 14, 2025 More Support, Less Punishment: Getting Young Offenders on a Better Path Research points to a new understanding about when adolescents become adults, and to new ways of thinking about their treatment in the criminal justice system. Civil and Criminal Justice Human Services State Legislatures News
Updated January 09, 2025 Strengthening Families Through Housing Stability A new policy brief on housing as a prevention policy lever. Human Services
Updated January 08, 2025 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, provides nutrition assistance for food-insecure households and individuals. Human Services Map Table
Updated January 08, 2025 Children's Ombudsman Offices: Office of the Child Advocate The United States Ombudsman Association (USOA), defines the public sector ombudsmen as "an independent, impartial public official with authority and responsibility to receive, investigate or informally address complaints about government actions, and, when appropriate, make findings and recommendations, and publish reports. Human Services Table
Updated January 06, 2025 Benefits Cliffs Can Force Households to Make Tough Choices Small increases in earnings can trigger sudden and often unexpected decreases in public benefits—the so-called benefits cliff. This story covers ways to mitigate their potential to destabilize household finances and add to administrative burdens. Human Services State Legislatures News
Updated December 17, 2024 States Work to Connect Pieces of the Homelessness Policy Puzzle The Supreme Court’s Grants Pass decision addresses one aspect of a larger conversation about homelessness. State legislators have several options to address housing insecurity, including strategies that reduce, mitigate and prevent homelessness. Health Human Services State Legislatures News
Updated November 22, 2024 Child Tax Credit Overview The federal government and twelve states offer child tax credits to enhance the economic security of families with children, particularly those in lower- to middle-income brackets. Human Services Map
Updated November 22, 2024 Child Tax Credit Enactments View which states have enacted legislation related to child tax credits starting from 2013 until now. Human Services Table
Updated November 14, 2024 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Explore how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) supports low-income families through cash assistance, employment training, and vital services. Learn about eligibility, work requirements, and recent legislative trends impacting TANF programs. Human Services
Updated November 12, 2024 Earned Income Tax Credit Overview Overview of state and federal earned income tax credits, including recently enacted legislation. EITC is a tax credit that reduces the amount of federal income tax owed and is refundable if the tax filer's credit is larger than their tax liability. Human Services Map Table
Updated November 12, 2024 Earned Income Tax Credit Enactments Thirty-three states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico have enacted a state earned income tax credit (EITC). This table is a compilation of state EITC laws enacted from 2009-present. Human Services Table