S-1821

AN ACT Relating to increasing access to education for recipients of temporary assistance for needy families; adding new sections 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 department shall establish the parents as scholars program. The goal of the program is to help parents, who are also students, and who have dependent children in need, receive up to two years of undergraduate education or training. Annually the department shall provide up to three thousand parents enrolled at an institution of higher education with a package of student aid that includes direct aid for living expenses equal to that provided under this chapter, as well as the other support services provided to recipients of temporary assistance for needy families, including but not limited to medical assistance, child care, food stamps, and other support services.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. For purposes of sections 1 through 9 of this act, "institution of higher education" means the state universities, the regional universities, The Evergreen State College, the community colleges, the technical colleges, and private career schools or colleges.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The parents as scholars program shall be supported with funds other than those granted to the state under Title IV-A of the federal social security act, provided that the state funds used for this program meet the definition of state maintenance of effort under Title IV-A of the federal social security act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) Families that qualify for temporary assistance for needy families under this chapter may participate in the parents as scholars program in lieu of the temporary assistance for needy families. Eligibility for assistance, and the amount of assistance, shall be determined under criteria used in the temporary assistance for needy families program.

(2) The department shall assess the applicant to determine that the education and training sought by the applicant is likely to result in employment that provides the wages and benefits necessary for the applicant to support the applicant's family without public assistance.

(3) To be eligible for the parents as scholars program, an applicant is required to have worked in unsubsidized employment for twenty hours a week for at least twelve of the twenty-four weeks prior to applying for the parents as scholars program.

(4) To the extent that funds are available, enrollment in the program shall be granted if the department determines that:

(a) The applicant does not possess the necessary skills to obtain employment that will enable that individual to support a family at seventy-five percent of the median family income in the state for a family of the same size as the applicant's family;

(b) Considering potential employment opportunities and local labor market conditions, the undergraduate education sought by the individual is likely to improve the ability of the family to be self-supporting; and

The applicant shall meet the requirements for the state need grant under RCW 28B.10.800 through 28B.10.820 and qualify for acceptance at an institution of higher education in the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The department shall provide career planning and counseling services to applicants for, and recipients of, assistance under sections 1 through 9 of this act to assist them in choosing an educational plan that is likely to lead to self-sufficiency, and provide to students who have begun an educational program assistance to overcome barriers to completing the program and becoming employed. The department may work with other state and local entities to provide the planning and counseling services.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Students receiving assistance under sections 1 through 9 of this act shall meet the following requirements:

(1) They must participate in some combination of education, training, study, or work experience for at least twenty hours per week; and

(2) They must be enrolled full-time, with the expectation that they make satisfactory progress toward a degree, certificate, or license.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The department shall inform all persons applying for or participating in the temporary assistance for needy families program of the option to apply for the parents as scholars program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. To the extent permitted by federal law, assistance received under sections 1 through 9 of this act must be disregarded as income and excluded as a resource or asset to the same extent as assistance under the temporary assistance for needy families program, under this chapter, for the purposes of any state, federal, tribal, or municipal assistance program. Assistance received under sections 1 through 9 of this act must be treated in the same manner as assistance received under the temporary assistance for needy families program under this chapter for all tax purposes. Furthermore, the department shall implement the program so participants can qualify for food stamps.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. The department shall adopt rules to implement sections 1 through 8 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. Sections 1 through 9 of this act are each added to chapter 74.08A RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the agencies directly affected, and this finding does not affect the operation of the remainder of this act in its application to the agencies concerned. Rules adopted under this act must meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state.