S 2548 IS
107th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2548
To amend the temporary assistance to needy families program under
part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to improve the provision of
education and job training under that program, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 22, 2002
Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself and Mr. Wellstone) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
A BILL
To amend the temporary assistance to needy families program under
part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to improve the provision of
education and job training under that program, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Education Works Act of 2002'.
SEC. 2. COUNTING EDUCATION AND TRAINING AS WORK.
Section 407(d)(8) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 607(d)(8)) is
amended to read as follows:
`(8) participation in vocational educational training, postsecondary
education, an English-as-a-second-language program, or an adult basic
education program;'.
SEC. 3. ELIMINATION OF LIMIT ON NUMBER OF TANF RECIPIENTS ENROLLED IN
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION OR HIGH SCHOOL WHO MAY BE COUNTED TOWARDS THE WORK
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT.
Section 407(c)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 607(c)(2)) is
amended by striking subparagraph (D).
SEC. 4. NONAPPLICATION OF TIME LIMIT TO INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE CASH
ASSISTANCE AND ARE ENGAGED IN EDUCATION OR EMPLOYMENT.
Section 408(a)(7) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)(7)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
`(H) LIMITATION ON MEANING OF `ASSISTANCE' FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS-
For purposes of this paragraph, child care or transportation benefits
provided during a month under the State program funded under this part to
an individual who is participating in a full-time educational program or
who is employed shall not be considered assistance under the State
program.'.
SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.
(a) IN GENERAL- Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the amendments
made by this Act shall take effect on October 1, 2002, and shall apply to
payments made under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act for calendar
quarters beginning on or after such date, without regard to whether
regulations to implement the amendments are promulgated by such date.
(b) DELAY PERMITTED IF STATE LEGISLATION REQUIRED- In the case of a State
plan under section 402(a) of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of
Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than
legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional
requirements imposed by the amendments made by this Act, the State plan shall
not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such section
402(a) solely on the basis of the failure of the plan to meet such additional
requirements before the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter beginning after
the close of the 1st regular session of the State legislature that begins
after the date of enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous
sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each
year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the
State legislature.
END