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NCSL Update
NCSL Letter and Comments
NCSL outlines its priorities for and urges passage of the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization. NCSL submits comments to the Department of Health and Human Services raising concerns about a proposed rule on TANF. Read more
Administration Updates
Proposed Rule on Head Start Quality and Workforce Support
The Department of Health and Human Services released a proposed rule that would alter Head Start Performance Standards. The rule is intended to stabilize and better compensate the Head Start workforce and improve the quality of services provided to families. The proposed changes are spread across three topic areas: workforce supports, mental health and other quality improvements.
To improve workforce supports, the rule would increase staff wages, benefits and wellness through requirements such as:
- Making progress toward pay parity between Head Start staff and local K-3 teachers.
- Providing or facilitating access to health insurance.
- Providing paid sick, personal and family leave for full-time staff.
- Providing regularly scheduled breaks to all staff during work shifts.
To improve mental health supports, the rule would require programs to have a multidisciplinary mental health team, provide mental health consultations at least monthly, and integrate mental health into support services for families.
Finally, the rule proposes other quality improvements around family engagement, child health and safety, and identifying and meeting community needs. These changes include limiting caseloads to a maximum of 40 families per family service worker; requiring regular lead testing for paint and water, with remediation when needed; revising the definition of “income” for eligibility purposes; and adjusting families’ gross income to account for excessive housing costs in the community.
Implementation timelines vary among the proposed changes, ranging from 60 days to 30 years. Standards for staff wages would have the longest implementation timeline, going into effect in August 2031.
Comments on the proposed rule are due by Jan. 19, 2024. Read more.
EPA Releases Final Methane Emissions Rule
In a step toward mitigating U.S. methane emissions, the Environmental Protection Agency released a final rule requiring oil and gas industry operators to actively search for methane leaks throughout their entire production operations and replace defective equipment.
The regulation covers monitoring for both old and new operations of all sizes, including single wellhead sites. Rather than relying on calculated estimates of emissions, companies will now be required to use sensors and other equipment to measure actual methane emissions. The rule also bans routine flaring, or burning off extra gases, in new oil well construction and mandates that states develop and implement plans for reducing methane from existing sources. It is expected to prevent 58 million tons of methane emissions by 2038.
Though the rule has some support from major oil and gas industry players, court challenges are still expected. Read more.