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COMMITTEE REPORT
April 16, 2015
H. 3961
Introduced by Reps. Chumley, Burns, Forrester, Allison, Tallon, Brannon, Hicks and Cole
S. Printed 4/16/15--H.
Read the first time April 14, 2015.
To whom was referred a House Resolution (H. 3961) memorializing the United States Department of Health and Human Services to provide information regarding the resettlement of refugees in Spartanburg, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
JIMMY C. BALES for Committee.
MEMORIALIZING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING THE RESETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES IN SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY OF THE EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS AND OTHER COSTS OF PROVIDING GOVERNMENT SERVICES.
Whereas, it has been reported that World Relief, an international relief organization, has opened an office in Spartanburg, South Carolina; and
Whereas, according to the organization's website, World Relief coordinates with the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement to offer resettlement, placement, and various services to refugees settling in communities, in partnership with local faith communities; and
Whereas, according to news reports, World Relief's Spartanburg office anticipates that dozens of refugees will move to the area during 2015, some of whom already may have arrived; and
Whereas, it is unknown from which countries these refugees resettling in Spartanburg come; and
Whereas, according to a local news article, HHS is required to fund these services, but the services are administered by the state's Department of Social Services; and
Whereas, services provided to these refugees will have a financial impact on the Spartanburg and surrounding communities, including added costs and expenses for operation of public schools, health services, law enforcement, local transportation, and other taxpayer-funded services; and
Whereas, Spartanburg's and South Carolina's financial resources are limited. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina memorialize the United States Department of Health and Human Services to provide the following information:
How many refugees are expected to be resettled through World Relief in Spartanburg and in the State as a whole?
How many of these refugees will live in Spartanburg?
Are resettled refugees generally, and those resettled in Spartanburg through World Relief or other sponsors specifically, required to remain in the local community or the state into which they are initially resettled?
If refugees are not required to remain in the community or state into which they are initially resettled, are those refugees resettling in Spartanburg through World Relief being encouraged to remain in the local community or the State and, if so, how are they being encouraged to remain?
Does World Relief contract with HHS's Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to provide services? If so, in what amounts, for what purposes, and for how long are these contracts?
If World Relief does not contract with ORR, or if World Relief also contracts with other agencies including, but not limited to, the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, in what amounts, for what purposes, and for how long are these contracts?
Is there a limit or quota on the number of refugees admitted into the United States for resettlement, and are the refugees that are resettling in Spartanburg through World Relief accounted for in that limit or quota?
To the extent that the Department of Social Services incurs costs to provide services related to refugees who resettle in the State, what are the sources of funding that pay the costs?
Which services are refugees who resettle in Spartanburg, and elsewhere in South Carolina, entitled to access, and are these services and benefits funded by, or in partnership with, the State, the federal government, or both?
Are the refugees resettling in Spartanburg through World Relief eligible for subsidized housing, and are they allowed to utilize public job-assistance or training services? If so, what state, federal, or other agency pays for those costs?
Will the refugees resettling in Spartanburg through World Relief be given priority for health care, welfare benefits, housing, and job assistance or training over American citizens, and especially those who are residents and taxpayers of South Carolina?
Be it further resolved that the United States Department of Health and Human Services must require and ensure accountability and transparency for the expenditure of public funds for refugee resettlement services provided directly by the department or in contract with other agencies or service providers.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Honorable Sylvia Mathews Burwell, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Eskinder Negash, Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, and the members of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.
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