HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1203

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Human Services

Title:  An act relating to the department of social and health services' jobs training program.

Brief Description:  Modifying provisions of the department of social and health services' job training program.

Sponsors:  Representatives Leonard, Cooke, Riley and Wood.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Human Services, February 8, 1993, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Leonard, Chair; Riley, Vice Chair; Cooke, Ranking Minority Member; Brown; Karahalios; Lisk; Padden; Patterson; Thibaudeau; and Wolfe.

Staff:  Jim Erlandson (786-7093).

Background:  RCW 74.25.020 identifies two target groups for the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) program, and non-exempt parents under age 24 receiving aid for dependent children (AFDC) "regular" assistance, and one parent within households receiving AFDC "employable" assistance.  These two target groups are required to participate in the JOBS training program. Current JOBS social services include orientation, assessment, education, vocational training, and employment programs. The Department of Social and Health Services can sanction a mandatory JOBS participant for failing to comply with JOBS requirements.

The Gardner budget has reduced available state dollars precipitating the need to eliminate the special target groups and reduce available social services provided under the JOBS program.

Summary of Bill:  This department request legislation removes the requirement that non-exempt, AFDC "regular" parents under the age of 24 and AFDC "employable" parents, participate in the jobs training program. It also eliminates social service and sanction wording. The JOBS program will continue to be available on a volunteer basis.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The Department of Social and Health Services testified in favor of the bill, as it will provide greater flexibility in the provision of JOBS services in the face of program funding reductions.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Bernice Morehead, Department of Social and Health Services; Lonnie Johns-Brown, Washington State National Organization for Women; Margaret Casey, The Children's Alliance; and Susan Secrist, Citizen.