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HB 5995

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Julie Casimiro and 7 co-sponsors

Directs DHS and DCYF to expand frontline recruitment and job training, with a one-time $3,000 stipend for eligible trainees who complete the program and probation.

05/22/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 5995

Summary — HB 5995

Title: An Act Relating to State Affairs and Government — Department of Human Services
Status: Committee recommended measure be held for further study (05/22/2025)
Introduced: (filed in General Assembly) February 28, 2025; referred to House Finance
Effective date: Upon passage (per bill text)

Purpose

HB 5995 directs the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) to expand recruitment and job‑training efforts for frontline positions and establishes a one‑time stipend incentive for trainees who complete the training program and departmental probationary period.

Key provisions

  • Adds a job‑training and recruitment duty for the DHS director (new subsection in §42‑12‑1) requiring the department to:

    • Conduct recruitment and job training to attract qualified candidates for specified positions.
    • Promulgate rules that set eligibility standards for the job‑training program.
    • Provide a $3,000 stipend from available funds to eligible applicants who successfully complete the training program and the department’s probationary period.

  • Makes parallel changes to DCYF’s statutory director duties (§42‑72‑4):

    • Reiterates or clarifies the director’s authority/responsibility to carry out recruitment and job training targeted to specified DCYF positions.
    • Requires promulgation of program eligibility rules and provides the same $3,000 stipend (from available funds) for eligible trainees who complete training and probation.
    • The bill text also lists director responsibilities in DCYF regarding program review, central registries, case‑management information systems, coordination with other agencies, and preparation of annual reports (these duties appear in the bill as part of the director’s enumerated responsibilities).

Positions targeted

  • DHS: eligibility technician; child service enforcement agent; social case worker I & II; employment career advisor (and authority to define program eligibility).
  • DCYF: social case worker I; child protective investigator (and authority to define program eligibility).

Funding and implementation

  • The $3,000 stipend is to be paid “from available funds” — the bill does not create a dedicated new appropriation; actual fiscal impact depends on departmental budgeting and the number of trainees who qualify.
  • The directors are authorized to promulgate administrative rules to implement eligibility and program requirements.
  • The bill takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Prospective and new employees for DHS and DCYF in the listed job categories (who complete the training and probationary period).
  • DHS and DCYF administrative operations (recruitment, training, rulemaking, and payroll/finance functions).
  • State budget officers and the Legislature may be affected if additional funds are required to support stipends at scale.

Procedural status & next steps

  • Referred to House Finance after introduction (February 28, 2025).
  • As of 05/22/2025 the committee recommended holding the measure for further study (i.e., no immediate advancement to floor votes). If revived, the bill would require rulemaking and administrative setup within each department to implement the training, eligibility standards, and stipend payments.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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