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H.R.4700
Personal Responsibility, Work, and Family Promotion Act of 2002
(Introduced in House)
SEC. 110. WORK PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS.
(a) IN GENERAL- Section 407 (42 U.S.C. 607) is amended by striking all
that precedes subsection (b)(3) and inserting the following:
`SEC. 407. WORK PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS.
`(a) PARTICIPATION RATE REQUIREMENTS- A State to which a grant is made
under section 403 for a fiscal year shall achieve a minimum participation rate
equal to not less than--
`(1) 50 percent for fiscal year 2003;
`(2) 55 percent for fiscal year 2004;
`(3) 60 percent for fiscal year 2005;
`(4) 65 percent for fiscal year 2006; and
`(5) 70 percent for fiscal year 2007 and each succeeding fiscal
year.
`(b) CALCULATION OF PARTICIPATION RATES-
`(1) AVERAGE MONTHLY RATE- For purposes of subsection (a), the
participation rate of a State for a fiscal year is the average of the
participation rates of the State for each month in the fiscal year.
`(2) MONTHLY PARTICIPATION RATES; INCORPORATION OF 40-HOUR WORK WEEK
STANDARD-
`(A) IN GENERAL- For purposes of paragraph (1), the participation rate
of a State for a month is--
`(i) the total number of countable hours (as defined in subsection
(c)) with respect to the counted families for the State for the month;
divided by
`(ii) 160 multiplied by the number of counted families for the State
for the month.
`(B) COUNTED FAMILIES DEFINED-
`(i) IN GENERAL- In subparagraph (A), the term `counted family'
means, with respect to a State and a month, a family that includes a
work-eligible individual and that receives assistance in the month under
the State program funded under this part, subject to clause
(ii).
`(ii) STATE OPTION TO EXCLUDE CERTAIN FAMILIES- At the option of a
State, the term `counted family' shall not include--
`(I) a family in the first month for which the family receives
assistance from a State program funded under this part on the basis of
the most recent application for such assistance; or
`(II) on a case-by-case basis, a family in which the youngest
child has not attained 12 months of age.
`(iii) STATE OPTION TO INCLUDE INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING ASSISTANCE
UNDER A TRIBAL FAMILY ASSISTANCE PLAN OR TRIBAL WORK PROGRAM- At the
option of a State, the term `counted family' may include families in the
State that are receiving assistance under a tribal family assistance
plan approved under section 412 or under a tribal work program to which
funds are provided under this part.
`(C) WORK-ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL DEFINED- In this section, the term
`work-eligible individual' means an individual--
`(i) who is married or a single head of household; and
`(ii) whose needs are (or, but for sanctions under this part that
have been in effect for more than 3 months (whether or not consecutive)
in the preceding 12 months or under part D, would be) included in
determining the amount of cash assistance to be provided to the family
under the State program funded under this part.'.
(b) RECALIBRATION OF CASELOAD REDUCTION CREDIT- Section 407(b)(3)(A)(ii)
(42 U.S.C. 607(b)(3)(A)(ii)) is amended to read as follows:
`(ii) the average monthly number of families that received
assistance under the State program funded under this part
during--
`(I) if the fiscal year is fiscal year 2003, fiscal year
1996;
`(II) if the fiscal year is fiscal year 2004, fiscal year
1998;
`(III) if the fiscal year is fiscal year 2005, fiscal year 2001;
or
`(IV) if the fiscal year is fiscal year 2006 or any succeeding
fiscal year, the then 4th preceding fiscal year.'.
(c) SUPERACHIEVER CREDIT- Section 407(b) (42 U.S.C. 607(b)) is amended by
striking paragraphs (4) and (5) and inserting the following:
`(4) SUPERACHIEVER CREDIT-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The participation rate, determined under paragraphs
(1) and (2) of this subsection, of a superachiever State for a fiscal year
shall be increased by the lesser of--
`(i) the amount (if any) of the superachiever credit applicable to
the State; or
`(ii) the number of percentage points (if any) by which the minimum
participation rate required by subsection (a) for the fiscal year
exceeds 50 percent.
`(B) SUPERACHIEVER STATE- For purposes of subparagraph (A), a State is
a superachiever State if the State caseload for fiscal year 2001 has
declined by at least 60 percent from the State caseload for fiscal year
1995.
`(C) AMOUNT OF CREDIT- The superachiever credit applicable to a State
is the number of percentage points (if any) by which the decline referred
to in subparagraph (B) exceeds 60 percent.
`(D) DEFINITIONS- In this paragraph:
`(i) STATE CASELOAD FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001- The term `State caseload
for fiscal year 2001' means the average monthly number of families that
received assistance during fiscal year 2001 under the State program
funded under this part.
`(ii) STATE CASELOAD FOR FISCAL YEAR 1995- The term `State caseload
for fiscal year 1995' means the average monthly number of families that
received aid under the State plan approved under part A (as in effect on
September 30, 1995) during fiscal year 1995.'.
(d) COUNTABLE HOURS- Section 407 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 607) is amended by
striking subsections (c) and (d) and inserting the following:
`(1) DEFINITION- In subsection (b)(2), the term `countable hours' means,
with respect to a family for a month, the total number of hours in the month
in which any member of the family who is a work-eligible individual is
engaged in a direct work activity or other activities specified by the State
(excluding an activity that does not address a purpose specified in section
401(a)), subject to the other provisions of this subsection.
`(2) LIMITATIONS- Subject to such regulations as the Secretary may
prescribe:
`(A) MINIMUM WEEKLY AVERAGE OF 24 HOURS OF DIRECT WORK ACTIVITIES
REQUIRED- If the work-eligible individuals in a family are engaged in a
direct work activity for an average total of fewer than 24 hours per week
in a month, then the number of countable hours with respect to the family
for the month shall be zero.
`(B) MAXIMUM WEEKLY AVERAGE OF 16 HOURS OF OTHER ACTIVITIES- An
average of not more than 16 hours per week of activities specified by the
State (subject to the exclusion described in paragraph (1)) may be
considered countable hours in a month with respect to a family.
`(3) SPECIAL RULES- For purposes of paragraph (1):
`(A) PARTICIPATION IN QUALIFIED ACTIVITIES-
`(i) IN GENERAL- If, with the approval of the State, the
work-eligible individuals in a family are engaged in 1 or more qualified
activities for an average total of at least 24 hours per week in a
month, then all such engagement in the month shall be considered
engagement in a direct work activity, subject to clause
(iii).
`(ii) QUALIFIED ACTIVITY DEFINED- The term `qualified activity'
means an activity specified by the State (subject to the exclusion
described in paragraph (1)) that meets such standards and
criteria as the State may specify, including--
`(I) substance abuse counseling or treatment;
`(II) rehabilitation treatment and services;
`(III) work-related education or training directed at enabling
the family member to work;
`(IV) job search or job readiness assistance; and
`(V) any other activity that addresses a purpose specified in
section 401(a).
`(I) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in subclause (II), clause (i)
shall not apply to a family for more than 3 months in any period of 24
consecutive months.
`(II) SPECIAL RULE APPLICABLE TO EDUCATION AND TRAINING - A State may, on a
case-by-case basis, apply clause (i) to a work-eligible individual so
that participation by the individual in education or training , if needed to permit
the individual to complete a certificate program or other work-related
education or training
directed at enabling the individual to fill a known job need in a
local area, may be considered countable hours with respect to the
family of the individual for not more than 4 months in any period of
24 consecutive months.
`(B) SCHOOL ATTENDANCE BY TEEN HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD- The work-eligible
members of a family shall be considered to be engaged in a direct work
activity for an average of 40 hours per week in a month if the family
includes an individual who is married, or is a single head of household,
who has not attained 20 years of age, and the individual--
`(i) maintains satisfactory attendance at secondary school or the
equivalent in the month; or
`(ii) participates in education directly related to employment for
an average of at least 20 hours per week in the month.
`(d) DIRECT WORK ACTIVITY- In this section, the term `direct work
activity' means--
`(1) unsubsidized employment;
`(2) subsidized private sector employment;
`(3) subsidized public sector employment;
`(4) on-the-job training
;
`(5) supervised work experience; or
`(6) supervised community service.'.
(e) PENALTIES AGAINST INDIVIDUALS- Section 407(e)(1) (42 U.S.C. 607(e)(1))
is amended to read as follows:
`(1) REDUCTION OR TERMINATION OF ASSISTANCE-
`(A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), if an individual
in a family receiving assistance under a State program funded under this
part fails to engage in activities required in accordance with this
section, or other activities required by the State under the program, and
the family does not otherwise engage in activities in accordance with the
self-sufficiency plan established for the family pursuant to section
408(b), the State shall--
`(i) if the failure is partial or persists for not more than 1
month--
`(I) reduce the amount of assistance otherwise payable to the
family pro rata (or more, at the option of the State) with respect to
any period during a month in which the failure occurs;
or
`(II) terminate all assistance to the family, subject to such good
cause exceptions as the State may establish; or
`(ii) if the failure is total and persists for at least 2
consecutive months, terminate all cash payments to the family including
qualified State expenditures (as defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)) for
at least 1 month and thereafter until the State determines that the
individual has resumed full participation in the activities, subject to
such good cause exceptions as the State may establish.
`(B) SPECIAL RULE- In the event of a conflict between a requirement of
clause (i)(II) or (ii) of subparagraph (A) and a requirement of a State
constitution, or of a State statute that, before 1966, obligated local
government to provide assistance to needy parents and children, the State
constitutional or statutory requirement shall control.'.
(f) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS-
(1) Section 407(f) (42 U.S.C. 607(f)) is amended in each of paragraphs
(1) and (2) by striking `work activity described in subsection (d)' and
inserting `direct work activity'.
(2) The heading of section 409(a)(14) (42 U.S.C. 609(a)(14)) is amended
by inserting `OR REFUSING TO ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES UNDER A FAMILY
SELF-SUFFICIENCY PLAN' after `WORK'.
SEC. 111. MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT.
(a) IN GENERAL- Section 409(a)(7) (42 U.S.C. 609(a)(7)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A) by striking `fiscal year 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001,
2002, or 2003' and inserting `fiscal year 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 or
2008'; and
(2) in subparagraph (B)(ii)--
(A) by inserting `preceding' before `fiscal year'; and
(B) by striking `for fiscal years 1997 through 2002,'.
(b) STATE SPENDING ON PROMOTING HEALTHY MARRIAGE-
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 404 (42 U.S.C. 604) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
`(l) MARRIAGE PROMOTION- A State, territory, or tribal organization to
which a grant is made under section 403(a)(2) may use a grant made to the
State, territory, or tribal organization under any other provision of section
403 for marriage promotion activities, and the amount of any such grant so
used shall be considered State funds for purposes of section 403(a)(2).'.
(2) FEDERAL TANF FUNDS
USED FOR MARRIAGE PROMOTION DISREGARDED FOR PURPOSES OF MAINTENANCE OF
EFFORT REQUIREMENT- Section 409(a)(7)(B)(i) (42 U.S.C. 609(a)(7)(B)(i)), as
amended by section 103(c) of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
`(VI) EXCLUSION OF FEDERAL TANF FUNDS USED FOR MARRIAGE
PROMOTION ACTIVITIES- Such term does not include the amount of any
grant made to the State under section 403 that is expended for a
marriage promotion activity.'.
SEC. 112. PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT.
(a) STATE PLANS- Section 402(a) (42 U.S.C. 602(a)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by redesignating clause (vi) and clause (vii) (as added by
section 103(a) of this Act) as clauses (vii) and (viii), respectively;
and
(ii) by striking clause (v) and inserting the following:
`(v) The document shall--
`(I) describe how the State will pursue ending dependence of needy
families on government benefits and reducing poverty by promoting job
preparation and work;
`(II) describe how the State will encourage the formation and
maintenance of healthy 2-parent married families, encourage
responsible fatherhood, and prevent and reduce the incidence of
out-of-wedlock pregnancies;
`(III) include specific, numerical, and measurable performance
objectives for accomplishing subclauses (I) and (II), and with respect
to subclause (I), include objectives consistent with the criteria used
by the Secretary in establishing performance targets under section
403(a)(4)(B) if available; and
`(IV) describe the methodology that the State will use to measure
State performance in relation to each such objective.
`(vi) Describe any strategies and programs the State may be
undertaking to address--
`(I) employment retention and advancement for recipients of
assistance under the program, including placement into high-demand
jobs, and whether the jobs are identified using labor market
information;
`(II) efforts to reduce teen pregnancy;
`(III) services for struggling and noncompliant families, and for
clients with special problems; and
`(IV) program integration, including the extent to which
employment and training
services under the program are provided through the One-Stop delivery
system created under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, and the
extent to which former recipients of such assistance have access to
additional core, intensive, or training services funded
through such Act.'; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking clause (iii) (as so redesignated
by section 107(b)(1) of this Act) and inserting the following:
`(iii) The document shall describe strategies and programs the State
is undertaking to engage religious organizations in the provision of
services funded under this part and efforts related to section 104 of
the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconcilation Act of
1996.
`(iv) The document shall describe strategies to improve program
management and performance.'; and
(2) in paragraph (4), by inserting `and tribal' after `that
local'.
(b) CONSULTATION WITH STATE REGARDING PLAN AND DESIGN OF TRIBAL PROGRAMS-
Section 412(b)(1) (42 U.S.C. 612(b)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking `and' at the end of subparagraph (E);
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (F) and inserting
`; and'; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
`(G) provides an assurance that the State in which the tribe is
located has been consulted regarding the plan and its design.'.
(c) PERFORMANCE MEASURES- Section 413 (42 U.S.C. 613) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
`(k) PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT- The Secretary, in consultation with the
States, shall develop uniform performance measures designed to assess the
degree of effectiveness, and the degree of improvement, of State programs
funded under this part in accomplishing the purposes of this part.'.
(d) ANNUAL RANKING OF STATES- Section 413(d)(1) (42 U.S.C. 613(d)(1)) is
amended by striking `long-term private sector jobs' and inserting `private
sector jobs, the success of the recipients in retaining employment, the
ability of the recipients to increase their wages'.
SEC. 113. DATA COLLECTION AND REPORTING.
(a) CONTENTS OF REPORT- Section 411(a)(1)(A) (42 U.S.C. 611(a)(1)(A)) is
amended--
(1) in clause (vii), by inserting `and minor parent' after `of each
adult';
(2) in clause (viii), by striking `and educational level';
(3) in clause (ix), by striking `, and if the latter 2, the amount
received';
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