BILL REQ. #:  S-4043.1 

Read first time 01/17/2006.   Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.

     AN ACT Relating to providing working connections child care for certain temporary assistance for needy families recipients; adding a new section to chapter 74.08A RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that there is a shortage of skilled workers in Washington state. The shortage of qualified applicants is greatest for jobs requiring postsecondary education.
     Providing the opportunity to temporary assistance for needy families recipients to pursue postsecondary education will help bridge the skilled worker shortage gap.
     With that goal in mind, the legislature intends to provide working connections child care for temporary assistance for needy families recipients, so that they can complete postsecondary education, while also meeting their work requirements, in order to secure careers to benefit themselves, their families, and society.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 74.08A RCW to read as follows:
     If a temporary assistance for needy families participant is meeting his or her individual responsibility plan employment or work requirements, and is eligible for working connections child care, the participant shall be eligible for working connections child care for all the hours the participant is working and enrolled in a vocational, educational, or training program.