This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by introducing two new sections, 9-8-2a and 9-8-2b, which expand the employment and training requirements for individuals receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. It mandates that able-bodied adults without dependents, aged 18 to 59, participate in an employment and training program unless they meet specific exemptions, such as being a parent of a young child, a student, or employed for a minimum number of hours. The bill also allows the Department of Human Services to create additional non-federal exemptions based on individual challenges and requires the department to provide registrants with a comprehensive list of available services within 15 working days of registration.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the Secretary's responsibilities in cases of funding shortages, including submitting detailed reports to the Legislature regarding the department's funding status and efforts to maintain program participation. It establishes a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of the voluntary employment and training program, requiring annual reports on various metrics related to participant outcomes and program performance. The bill emphasizes the importance of tracking progress towards specific goals, such as increasing employment retention rates and reducing disenrollment due to compliance issues, while also allowing for recommendations for program changes by the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-8-2a, 9-8-2b