WORK FIRST REQUIREMENTS SUNSET H.B. 5417: FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 5417 (as reported by the Committee of the Whole)
Sponsor: Representative Brenda J. Clack
House Committee: Family and Children Services
Senate Committee: Families and Human Services
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Social Welfare Act to postpone the sunset on certain sections related to exemptions and penalties associated with the Work First program, from December 31, 2004, to December 31, 2005.
The sunset applies to exemptions from Work First participation for the following: the parent of a child under the age of three months; a recipient of supplemental security income (SSI); and an individual who is severely restricted in his or her ability to participate in employment or training activities due to physical or mental impairment, or the individual's caretaker.
Under the Act, the Family Independence Agency must develop a system of penalties to be imposed if a recipient fails to comply with applicable rules or the provisions of the Act. The sunset applies to a provision defining "noncompliance".
The sunset also applies to a requirement that the penalty system provide that Family Independence Program benefits must be terminated if a recipient fails, without good cause, to comply with applicable child support requirements; and that for any instance of noncompliance, before determining that a penalty must be imposed, the FIA must determine if good cause for noncompliance exists.
Additionally, the sunset applies to provisions allowing the FIA to impose a penalty if a recipient does not meet his or her individual social contract requirements, and allowing FIP assistance to be approved after it has been terminated for at least one month if the recipient completes a "willingness to comply" test.
MCL 400.14i Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government. The bill would maintain current exceptions and have no fiscal impact on the Family Independence Agency.
Date Completed: 12-7-04 Fiscal Analyst: Constance Cole
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb5417/0304