HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 2547

Title:  An act relating to temporary assistance for needy families recipients who meet their work activity obligation in licensed child care facilities.

Brief Description: Allowing certain TANF recipients to meet their work activity participation obligation by volunteering in licensed day care facilities.

Sponsors:  Representatives Kessler, Talcott, D. Sommers, Tokuda, Regala, Ogden, Linville, Anderson, Conway, Schual‑Berke, Lantz, Veloria, Edmonds, Ruderman, Wolfe, Cooper, Murray, Morris, Stensen, Haigh, Santos, Rockefeller, Wood, O'Brien, Kagi and Hurst.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Meeting Date:January 26, 2000.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Tracey Taylor  (786-7196).

Background:  Under the Workfirst program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients are required to engage in job-related activities.  There are certain work-related activities that fulfill this requirement, including subsidized paid employment, on-the-job training, community service programs, vocational education and providing child care services to an individual participating in a community service program.

Summary of Bill:  A TANF recipient with a child over three months of age may volunteer to work in a licensed child care facility for 20 hours per week and meet their work activity participation requirements. 

The TANF volunteer and his or her child will not be included in the capacity or staff to child calculations.  The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) must reimburse the child care facility for the TANF volunteer=s child (or children) at the facility.  The facility administrator must supervise the TANF volunteer and report the hours worked to the department.

Appropriation:None.

Fiscal Note:Requested on January 18, 2000.

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