Amend HB 3470 by inserting the appropriately numbered
sections as follows:
SECTION __.  Section 31.012, Human Resources Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (f) to read as
follows:
(c)  A person who is the caretaker of a physically or mentally
disabled child who requires the caretaker's presence is not
required to participate in a program under this section.  Effective
January 1, 2000, a single person who is the caretaker of a child
<September 1, 1995, a person> is not required to participate in a
program under this section until the caretaker's <person's>
youngest child at the time the caretaker <person> first became
eligible for assistance reaches the age of three <five>.  Effective
September 1, 2000 <1997>, a single person who is the caretaker of a
child is exempt until the caretaker's <person's> youngest child at
the time the caretaker <person> first became eligible for
assistance reaches the age of two <four>.  Effective September 1,
2001, a single person who is the caretaker of a child is exempt
until the caretaker's youngest child at the time the caretaker
first became eligible for assistance reaches the age of one.
Notwithstanding Sections 31.0035(b) and 32.0255(b), the department
shall provide to a person who is exempt under this subsection and
who voluntarily participates in a program under Subsection (a)(2)
six months of transitional benefits in addition to the applicable
limit prescribed by Section 31.0065.
(f)  In this section, "caretaker of a child" means the parent or
relative of a dependent child with whom the child primarily
resides, including a parent or relative who has been appointed
under a court order as sole managing conservator or joint managing
conservator of the child.
SECTION __.  Before implementing any provision of Subsection (c),
Section 31.012, Human Resources Code, as amended by this Act, the
Texas Department of Human Services shall work in conjunction with
the Texas Workforce Commission or a local workforce development
board, as appropriate, to develop and implement a client education
effort targeted at clients affected by the changes to that section.
The department shall inform each client whose exemption status is
affected of the pending change, the timeline for the change, and
the effect of the change on the client's work requirements and time
limits.
SECTION __.  If, before implementing any provision of Subsection
(c), Section 31.012, Human Resources Code, as amended by this Act,
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
federal agency is necessary for implementation, the agency shall
request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that
provision until the waiver or authorization is granted.
SECTION __.  Notwithstanding Subsection (c), Section 31.012, Human
Resources Code, as amended by this Act, a person receiving
financial assistance under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, on
December 31, 1999, remains subject to the exemptions from
participation in work or employment activity requirements under
Subsection (c), Section 31.012, Human Resources Code, as it existed
immediately before the effective date of this Act, until the
person's first recertification date that occurs on or after January
1, 2000.
SECTION __.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.