Amends the Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to implement the federal Family Violence Option created by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, P.L. 104-193, and other specified federal provisions that permit state agencies to waive TANF work and self-sufficiency requirements for individuals who are the victims of domestic or sexual violence. Contains provisions on how individuals may apply for a "good cause" waiver of TANF requirements due to domestic or sexual violence, including, provisions concerning required documentation or third-party verification to support a good cause waiver claim; and the option to self-attest to a claim of domestic or sexual violence in support of a good cause waiver claim. Contains provisions on notification requirements imposed on the Department; crisis assistance funding; rulemaking; and data reporting requirements.
House Committee Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Removes language concerning crisis assistance funding that were included with the amendatory provisions concerning the waiver of TANF work and self-sufficiency requirements for individuals who are the victims of domestic or sexual violence. Instead amends an existing statutory provision regarding crisis assistance funds for families who have become homeless due to domestic or sexual violence. Requires the Department of Human Services to inform such families, during their application for TANF, on the availability of crisis assistance funding. Provides that the Department shall provide no less than $1,250 to eligible families for up to 4 months. Provides that the provisions of the bill are subject to the civil remedies outlined in the Public Assistance Fraud Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 305 ILCS 5/4
Engrossed: 305 ILCS 5/4
Enrolled: 305 ILCS 5/4