BILL REQ. #:  H-1721.1 

Read first time 02/18/2003.   Referred to Committee on Children & Family Services.

     AN ACT Relating to work activity requirements under the temporary assistance for needy families program; and amending RCW 74.08A.260.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 74.08A.260 and 1997 c 58 s 313 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((Recipients who have not obtained paid, unsubsidized employment by the end of the job search component authorized in section 312 of this act shall be referred to a work activity.))
     (1) Each recipient shall be assessed ((immediately upon completion of the job search component)) within four weeks of becoming eligible for the program. Assessments shall be based upon factors that are critical to obtaining employment, including but not limited to education, employment strengths, and employment history. Assessments may be performed by the department or by a contracted entity. The assessment shall be based on a uniform, consistent, transferable format that will be accepted by all agencies and organizations serving the recipient. Based on the assessment, an individual responsibility plan shall be prepared that: (a) Sets forth an employment goal and a plan for moving the recipient immediately into employment; (b) contains the obligation of the recipient to become and remain employed; (c) moves the recipient into whatever employment the recipient is capable of handling as quickly as possible; and (d) describes the services available to the recipient to enable the recipient to obtain and keep employment.
     (2) Recipients who are not engaged in work and work activities, and do not qualify for a good cause exemption under RCW 74.08A.270, shall engage in self-directed service as provided in RCW 74.08A.330.
     (3) If a recipient refuses to engage in work and work activities required by the department, the family's grant shall be reduced by the recipient's share, and may, if the department determines it appropriate, be terminated.
     (4) The department may waive the penalties required under subsection (3) of this section, subject to a finding that the recipient refused to engage in work for good cause provided in RCW 74.08A.270.
     (5) In implementing this section, the department shall assign the highest priority to the most employable clients, including adults in two-parent families and parents in single-parent families that include older preschool or school-age children to be engaged in work activities.
     (6) In consultation with the recipient, the department or contractor shall place the recipient into a work activity that is available in the local area where the recipient resides.