Present law provides temporary assistance to families under the Families First Program if certain criteria is met. One of those criteria is that an applicant for, or a recipient of, such assistance must agree to a personal responsibility plan ("plan") developed by the department of human services ("department"). For all applicants or recipients who are not exempt from the work requirements established by law, an individualized career plan must be developed establishing goal-oriented work activities designed to provide the applicant or recipient with an opportunity to move toward self-sufficiency. At least once each 12 months throughout the period of continuous assistance, the department must monitor and evaluate the plan to promote the recipient's success in gaining self-sufficiency. Present law specifically requires the plan to do all of the following:  To require participation in personal responsibility activities, including, but not limited to, employment, work experience activities, on-the-job training, job search and job readiness assistance, community service programs, and vocational educational training.  To require the parent or other caretaker relative, regardless of age or disabling status, to enter a plan that requires, but is not limited to, (i) the children in the family attending school; (ii) the children receiving immunizations and health checks; and (iii) the parent or caretaker relative cooperating in the establishment and enforcement of child support, including, but not limited to, the naming of the father of a child for purposes of paternity establishment, unless good cause not to cooperate exists.  To include requirements, if the need is identified relative to the child, that (i) the parent or a suitable adult or guardian must attend two or more conferences within a year with the child's teacher to review the child's status in school; (ii) attend at least eight hours of parenting classes; or (iii) participate in such support services that the child may need to overcome any school, family, or other barriers that may interfere with the child's and the family's ability to be successful. This bill removes the requirement that the plan require the parent or other caretaker relative, regardless of age or disabling status, to enter a plan that requires the children in the family attend school and receive immunizations and health checks. This bill also removes the requirement that the plan include requirements, if the need is identified relative to the child, that (i) the parent or a suitable adult or guardian attend two or more conferences within a year with the child's teacher to review the child's status in school; (ii) attend at least eight hours of parenting classes; or (iii) participate in such support services that the child may need to overcome any school, family, or other barriers that may interfere with the child's and the family's ability to be successful. Present law provides that the failure to comply with the plan with regard to the children attending school and receiving immunizations and health checks, without good cause, must result in a percentage reduction with regard to the assistance payment in the amount of 20% until such time as compliance occurs. This bill removes this provision.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 71-3-104