Title: An act relating to financial literacy.

Brief Description: Including financial literacy in work activity provisions.

Sponsors: House Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Dickerson, Morrell, Appleton, Moeller, Lantz, Hasegawa, Williams, Darneille, Santos, Haler, Wallace, Walsh, McIntire and Simpson).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/08/06, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 2/21/06, 2/23/06 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Stevens, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, McAuliffe and Thibaudeau.

Staff: Indu Thomas (786-7536)

Background: The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program was created by the Welfare Reform Law of 1996. TANF became effective July 1, 1997, and replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) programs. TANF provides assistance and work opportunities to needy families by granting states the federal funds and flexibility to develop and implement their own welfare programs. TANF recipients in Washington participate in the WorkFirst program. Under WorkFirst, cash assistance is limited to a maximum of 60 months in a person's lifetime. During that time, the person must be involved in the WorkFirst program and working or actively looking for a job. Benefits may be extended beyond five years for parents who continue to abide by the rules and seek work.

Summary of Bill: The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is required to consider the options for financial literacy activities available in the community, including information and resources available through the financial literacy public-private partnership. DSHS is permitted to authorize up to ten hours of financial literacy activities as a core activity or an optional activity under WorkFirst.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: January 1, 2007.

Testimony For: This would add 10 hours total financial literacy activities to those activities that are permitted to be considered work activities.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Representative Dickerson, prime sponsor.