HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2226

                  As Amended by the Senate

Title:  An act relating to eliminating eligibility standards retained from the aid to families with dependent children program under the temporary assistance for needy families program.

Brief Description:  Eliminating eligibility standards retained from the aid to dependent children program under the temporary assistance for needy families program.

Sponsors:  Representative Tokuda.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Children & Family Services:  3/1/99 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/11/99, 96-0.

Senate Amended.

Passed Senate:  4/7/99, 42-6.

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Obsolete eligibility standards related to the former aid to families with dependent children program are repealed.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives D. Sommers, Republican Co-Chair; Tokuda, Democratic Co-Chair; Boldt, Republican Vice Chair; Kagi, Democratic Vice Chair; Campbell; Carrell; Dickerson; Eickmeyer; Kastama and Pflug.

Staff:  David Knutson (786-7146).

Background:

Several current policies under the temporary assistance for needy families program are based on federal requirements that were eliminated when federal welfare reform was enacted in August 1996.  Under previous federal law, a child was eligible for assistance if they were deprived of parental support through death, incapacity, continued absence, or unemployment of the parent.  A family was ineligible for assistance if their income exceeded 185 percent of the need standard.  Families are either ineligible for or receive a reduced grant if a family member is on strike.

Summary of Bill:

The language related to the deprivation of a child in determining eligibility for temporary assistance for needy families is repealed. The eligibility standard related to 185 percent of the need standard is repealed.  The provision related to strikers not receiving assistance is repealed.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S): The Senate striking amendment allows children between 18 and 21 years of age who have disabilities and are full-time students to receive TANF assistance.  The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is also authorized to grant eligibility exceptions to children between 18 and 21, on a discretionary basis, if DSHS determines that the exception will enable the child to complete his or her high school education, GED or vocational education.

Legal immigrant eligibility for state food assistance is clarified.  Reference to federal law is removed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Obsolete eligibility standards relating to the former aid to families with dependent children program shall be repealed.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:   (In support)  Eric Paige, Washington Catholic Conference;  and Liz Dunbar, Department of Social and Health Services.