This bill amends section 68-1724 of the Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024, under the Welfare Reform Act, specifically changing the maximum time limit for cash assistance for recipient families with children from sixty months to twenty-four months. The bill outlines that if the state fails to meet the terms of the self-sufficiency contract, this twenty-four-month limit can be extended. Additionally, it establishes that cash assistance will begin within the first month of eligibility and provides for reimbursement of work-related child care expenses even after families are no longer eligible for cash assistance.

The bill also emphasizes the importance of education by requiring that adults in recipient families ensure minor children regularly attend school, with potential reductions in cash assistance for non-compliance, while safeguarding against extreme hardship. It includes provisions for two-parent families, minor parents, and non-biological caregivers, ensuring that assistance is available under specific conditions. The original section 68-1724 is repealed, indicating a complete overhaul of the previous regulations regarding cash assistance limits and conditions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 68-1724