HOUSE BILL REPORT

                      HB 2427

                     As Reported By House Committee on:

                               Human Services

Title:  An act relating to technical clarification of general assistance laws.

Brief Description:  Making technical clarifications to general assistance laws.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Leonard, Riley, Winsley, H. Myers, Brekke, Hochstatter, R. King, Beck, Anderson and Hargrove.

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Human Services, January 20, 1992, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Leonard, Chair; Riley, Vice Chair; Winsley, Ranking Minority Member; Tate, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson; Beck; Brekke; Hargrove; Hochstatter; R. King; and H. Myers.

Staff:  Bonnie Austin (786-7107).

Background:  Washington's current public assistance code, Title 74, was enacted in 1959.  The 1959 enactment placed the general assistance program in the definition section of Title 74's administration chapter.  However, over the past decade the general assistance program has become more far more complex and has outgrown its original statutory location. 

The 1959 statute granted general assistance to unemployable persons and unemployed employable persons. These provisions remained unchanged until 1981, when unemployed employable persons were removed from general assistance.  In 1983, general assistance was expanded to include pregnant women and certain SSI recipients.  In 1985, general assistance was again expanded to include AFDC recipients experiencing a temporary reduction of income.  The 1987 Legislature transferred unemployable alcoholics and drug addicts to the ADATSA program.  Finally, provisions were added in 1991 granting limited general assistance benefits to women who relinquish their children for adoption.  All of these piecemeal changes have produced a section of the law that is convoluted and confusing.

Additionally, some of the general assistance provisions that have been added over the years have become obsolete.  Limitations regarding the eligibility of pregnant women are now obsolete due to changes in federal law.  Some of the 1987 provisions providing for the transfer of general assistance recipients to the ADATSA program are also obsolete. 

Summary of Bill:  The general assistance program is recodified as a new chapter in Title 74.  Provisions are reorganized and clarified.  Obsolete provisions are deleted.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.