SRC-SLL, DPW S.B. 666 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 666 By: Zaffirini Human Services 8/17/1999 Enrolled DIGEST Currently, Texas law regarding exemptions from work requirements for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is not in compliance with federal law. The Texas Senate Interim Committee on Health and Human Services provided recommendations to take into account before the expiration of the state welfare waiver on March, 2002. This bill phases out the exemption from work requirements for TANF recipients with children under the age of four. PURPOSE As enrolled, S.B. 666 exempts a single custodial parent from certain Temporary Assistance for Needy Families from the work or employment activity participation requirements. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 31.012, Human Resources Code, by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (f), to provide that effective January 1, 2000, rather than September 1, 1995, a single person who is the caretaker of a child (caretaker), is not required to participate in a program under this section until the caretaker's youngest child reaches the age of three, rather than five, at the time the caretaker first became eligible for assistance. Provides that effective September 1, 2000, rather than 1997, a caretaker is exempt until the caretaker's youngest child reaches the age of two, rather than four. Provides that effective September 1, 2001, a caretaker is exempt until the caretaker's youngest child reaches the age of one. Defines "caretaker of a child." Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Requires the Texas Department of Human Services (department) to work in conjunction with the Texas Workforce Commission (commission) or a local workforce development board, to develop and implement a client education effort targeted at clients affected by the changes to Section 31.012(c), Human Resources Code, before implementing any provision of that section, and requires the department to notify affected clients of the effect of such changes on their work requirements and time limits. SECTION 3. Authorizes a state agency to request a waiver or authorization from a federal agency deemed necessary for implementation of Section 31.012(c), Human Resources Code, and authorizes a state agency to delay implementation until the request is granted. SECTION 4. Sets forth provisions regarding the exemptions from participation in work or employment activity requirements for persons receiving financial assistance under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code. SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 1999, except as provided by Section 6 of this Act. SECTION 6. Provides that this Act takes effect only if a specific appropriation for the implementation of this Act is provided in H.B. 1, Acts of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999. Provides that, if no specific appropriation is provided in H.B. 1, this Act has no effect. SECTION 7. Emergency clause.