Z-0567.1                   _______________________________________________

                                                     SENATE BILL 5722

                              _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1993 Regular Session

By Senator Rinehart

Read first time 02/10/93.  Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

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

          AN ACT Relating to the department of social and health services' jobs training program; and amending RCW 74.25.020.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  RCW 74.25.020 and 1992 c 165 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) The department of social and health services is authorized to contract with public and private employment and training agencies and other public service entities to provide services prescribed or allowed under the federal social security act, as amended, to carry out the purposes of the jobs training program.  The department of social and health services has sole authority and responsibility to carry out the job opportunities and basic skills training program.  No contracting entity shall have the authority to review, change, or disapprove any administrative decision, or otherwise substitute its judgment for that of the department of social and health services as to the application of policies and rules adopted by the department of social and health services.

          (2) To the extent feasible under federal law, the department of social and health services and all entities contracting with it shall give first priority of service to individuals volunteering for program participation((:  PROVIDED, That the department shall require nonexempt parents under age twenty-four to actively participate in orientation, assessment, and either education, vocational training, or employment programs.  At least one nonexempt parent in the aid to families with dependent children-employable program shall actively participate in orientation, assessment, and either job search, education, training, or employment.  Social services shall be offered to participants in accordance with federal law.  The department shall adopt appropriate sanctions to ensure compliance with the requirements and policies of this chapter)).

          (3) The department of social and health services shall adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW establishing criteria constituting circumstances of good cause for an individual failing or refusing to participate in an assigned program component, or failing or refusing to accept or retain employment.  These criteria shall include, but not be limited to, the following circumstances:  (a) If the individual is a parent or other relative personally providing care for a child under age six years, and the employment would require the individual to work more than twenty hours per week; (b) if child care, or day care for an incapacitated individual living in the same home as a dependent child, is necessary for an individual to participate or continue participation in the program or accept employment, and such care is not available, and the department of social and health services fails to provide such care; (c) the employment would result in the family of the participant experiencing a net loss of cash income; or (d) circumstances that are beyond the control of the individual's household, either on a short-term or on an ongoing basis.

          (4) The department of social and health services shall adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW as necessary to effectuate the intent and purpose of this chapter.

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