"Sec. 1   RCW 74.08A.270 and 2007 c 289 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Good cause reasons for failure to participate in WorkFirst program components include: (a) Situations where the recipient is a parent or other relative personally providing care for a child under the age of six years, and formal or informal child care, or day care for an incapacitated individual living in the same home as a dependent child, is necessary for an individual to participate or continue participation in the program or accept employment, and such care is not available, and the department fails to provide such care; or (b) the recipient is a parent with a child under the age of one year.
     (2) A parent claiming a good cause exemption from WorkFirst participation under subsection (1)(b) of this section shall not be required to participate in any activities during the first ninety days following the birth of the child. Thereafter, the parent may be required to participate in one or more of the following, up to a maximum total of twenty hours per week, if such treatment, services, or training is indicated by the comprehensive evaluation or other assessment:
     (a) Mental health treatment;
     (b) Alcohol or drug treatment;
     (c) Domestic violence services; or
     (d) Parenting education or parenting skills training, if available.
     (3) The department shall: (a) Work with a parent claiming a good cause exemption under subsection (1)(b) of this section to identify and access programs and services designed to improve parenting skills and promote child well-being, including but not limited to home visitation programs and services; and (b) provide information on the availability of home visitation services to temporary assistance for needy families caseworkers, who shall inform clients of the availability of the services. If desired by the client, the caseworker shall facilitate appropriate referrals to providers of home visitation services.
     (4) Nothing in this section shall prevent a recipient from participating in the WorkFirst program on a voluntary basis.
     (5) A parent is eligible for a good cause exemption under subsection (1)(b) of this section for a maximum total of twelve months over the parent's lifetime.
     (6) The grant to an assistance unit of an eligible parent claiming a good cause exemption under subsection (1)(b) of this section shall not be reduced due to sanction for failure to participate in the activities described under subsection (2) of this section. The department may, however, assign a protective payee when a parent in need of mental health or substance abuse treatment refuses to engage in treatment, and shall continue its efforts to engage parents in appropriate supportive services and treatment programs."