2782-S2 AMH DAMM MERE 146

2SHB 2782 - H AMD 1132

By Representative Dammeier

NOT ADOPTED 2/12/2010

    On page 2, line 13, after "(4)" insert "The legislature also finds that due to significant state budget constraints, the general assistance program should be reformed to focus on providing eligible persons with medical assistance, mental health treatment, and/or substance abuse treatment to assist them in being able to work.

    (5)"

    On page 2, after line 22, insert the following:

    "(6) The legislature further intends to reform the general assistance program by eliminating the cash grant for eligible persons and focusing the limited resources of this program on medical assistance, mental health treatment, and substance abuse treatment."

    On page 5, line 2, after "provide" strike "aid" and insert "services"

    On page 14, line 28, after "that" strike ": (i) The" and insert "((: (i))) the"

    On page 14, beginning on line 32, after "or recipient" strike all material through "property" on page 15, line 12 and insert "((; and (ii) the department may provide grant assistance for a period not to exceed nine months from the date the agreement is signed pursuant to this section to persons who are otherwise ineligible because of excess real property owned by such persons when they are making a good faith effort to dispose of that property:  PROVIDED, That:

    (A) The applicant or recipient signs an agreement to repay the lesser of the amount of aid received or the net proceeds of such sale;

    (B) If the owner of the excess property ceases to make good faith efforts to sell the property, the entire amount of assistance may become an overpayment and a debt due the state and may be recovered pursuant to RCW 43.20B.630;

    (C) Applicants and recipients are advised of their right to a fair hearing and afforded the opportunity to challenge a decision that good faith efforts to sell have ceased, prior to assessment of an overpayment under this section; and

    (D) At the time assistance is authorized, the department files a lien without a sum certain on the specific property))"

    On page 26, line 27, after "arrangement" strike all material through "department" on line 30 and insert "((. Grant assistance shall not be provided under this chapter if the applicant does not reside in the most appropriate living situation, as determined by the department))"

EFFECT:   Eliminates the Disability Lifeline cash grant; the medical assistance, substance abuse, and other benefits remain.

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