BILL REQ. #:  H-2177.1 

Read first time 02/20/2007.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services.

     AN ACT Relating to legislative oversight of WorkFirst and temporary assistance to needy families; and adding a new section to chapter 74.08A RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 74.08A RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The WorkFirst legislative oversight committee is established for the purpose of monitoring the effectiveness of the workFirst program in promoting personal responsibility among recipients and in helping them attain long-term self-sufficiency. The committee shall consist of the following members:
     (a) Two members of the Washington state house of representatives, one from each major caucus, to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
     (b) Two members of the Washington state senate, one from each major caucus, to be appointed by the president of the senate;
     (c) The director of the office of financial management;
     (d) The secretary of the department of social and health services;
     (e) The commissioner of the employment security department;
     (f) The director of the department of community, trade, and economic development;
     (g) The executive director of the state board for community and technical colleges; and
     (h) The director of the department of early learning.
     The members of the committee representing the majority caucus in the house of representatives and the majority caucus in the senate shall serve as cochairs of the committee.
     (2) The WorkFirst legislative oversight committee shall meet quarterly, and shall receive monthly written reports on the following measures:
     (a) Temporary assistance for needy families work participation rates;
     (b) The number of recipients who exited WorkFirst and entered the workforce;
     (c) The number of recipients enrolled in postemployment support programs;
     (d) The percentage increase in earning capacity for recipients who exited WorkFirst and entered the workforce;
     (e) The number of recipients in sanction status;
     (f) The number of recipients receiving working connections child care subsidies; and
     (g) Temporary assistance for needy families expenditures in each major activity.