HB 2280 - DIGEST

     Provides that a family that includes an adult who has received temporary assistance for needy families for sixty months after the effective date of this section shall be ineligible for further temporary assistance for needy families assistance.

     Provides that, by October 2002, the department shall develop and implement an electronic benefit transfer system to be used for the delivery of public assistance benefits, including without limitation, food assistance.

     The department shall comply with P.L. 104-193, and shall cooperate with relevant federal agencies in the design and implementation of the electronic benefit transfer system.

     Requires the department to:  (1) Provide eligible Indian tribes ongoing, meaningful opportunities to participate in the development, oversight, and operation of the state temporary assistance for needy families program;

     (2) certify annually that it is providing equitable access to  the state temporary assistance for needy families program to Indian people whose tribe is not administering a tribal temporary assistance for needy families program;

     (3) coordinate and cooperate with eligible Indian tribes that elect to operate a tribal temporary assistance for needy families program as provided for in P.L. 104-193;

     (4) upon approval by the secretary of the federal department of health and human services of a tribal temporary assistance for needy families program, transfer a fair and equitable amount of the state maintenance of effort funds to the eligible Indian tribe; and (5) establish rules related to the operation of this section and section 108 of this act, covering, at a minimum, appropriate uses of state maintenance of effort funds and annual reports on program operations.

     Provides that single adults without dependents between eighteen and fifty years of age shall comply with federal food stamp work requirements as a condition of eligibility.  The department may exempt any counties or subcounty areas from the federal food stamp work requirements in P.L. 104-193, unless the department receives written evidence of official action by a county or subcounty governing entity, taken after noticed consideration, that indicates that a county or subcounty area chooses not to use an exemption to the federal food stamp work requirements.

     Declares that it is the intent of the legislature that all legal immigrants who resided in the United States before August 22, 1996, retain eligibility for assistance programs the same as or similar to those from which they lost benefits as a result of P.L. 104-193.  The legislature also intends that sponsors' incomes continue to be deemed for these individuals in the same manner it was addressed prior to August 22, 1996.

     Declares that it is the intent of the legislature that all applicants to the Washington WorkFirst program shall be focused on obtaining paid, unsubsidized employment.  The focus of the Washington WorkFirst program shall be work for all recipients.

     Declares that the legislature intends that every effort be made to involve all youth in preparation for postsecondary education, training, and employment, including out-of-school youth.

     Declares that the department shall carry out a program to fund individual development accounts established by recipients eligible for assistance under the temporary assistance for needy families program.

     Declares that the department may provide Washington WorkFirst activities or make cross-referrals to existing programs to qualifying noncustodial parents of children receiving temporary assistance for needy families who are unable to meet their child support obligations.

     Declares that there is established in the department the Washington WorkFirst program.  The department shall administer the program consistent with the temporary assistance for needy families provisions of P.L. 104-193.  In operating the WorkFirst program the department shall meet the minimum work participation rates specified in federal law, and shall require recipients of assistance to engage in job search and work activities as an ongoing condition of eligibility.

     Specifies the job assistance duties of the department of social and health services.

     Specifies the requirements for child care programs.

     Specifies requirements for teen parents.

     Specifies factors for grandparent liability.

     Specifies provisions for illegitimacy prevention and abstinence promotion.

     Specifies the department of social and health services accountability.

     Provides for a WorkFirst program study.

     Requires approval by the voters at the next general election.