Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Children & Family Services

HB 1144

Brief Description:  Modifying good cause reasons for failure to participate in the WorkFirst program.

Sponsors:  Representatives Kessler, Tokuda, Ogden, Keiser, Cody, Santos, Edmonds, Kenney, Linville, Darneille, O'Brien, Ruderman, Rockefeller, Dickerson, McDermott, Edwards, Conway, Schual‑Berke, Jackley, Lovick, McIntire and Haigh.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Allows parents with a child under the age of one year a "good cause" exemption from the Workfirst program.

Hearing Date:  1/25/01

Staff:  Tracey Taylor (786‑7196).

Background: 

In 1997, the Legislature enacted the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) legislation.  Participants are required to participate in Workfirst activities, including  job skills and work related activities.  A participant must have ?good cause@ in failing to participate.  ?Good cause@ includes a parent or other relative personally caring for a child under six years who requires formal or informal child care in order to participate in Workfirst, but the Department of Social Health Services fails to provide such care.  Until June 30, 1999, if the parent had a child under the age of one year, the parent was excused from participating for up to a total of twelve months.  After June 30, 1999, the parent was excused from participating if the parent had a child under three months of age.

Summary of Bill: 

TANF recipients with a child under the age of one year are exempted from participation in Workfirst activities for up to a total of twelve months.

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

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 17, 2001.