This bill proposes a significant restructuring of the administration of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in West Virginia by transferring oversight from the Department of Human Services to WorkForce West Virginia, effective July 1, 2027. It introduces new legal language that grants WorkForce West Virginia the authority to receive federal appropriations for these programs and clarifies the title of the agency's head, changing references from "Secretary of the Department of Human Services" to "Executive Director of WorkForce West Virginia." The bill also includes technical amendments to redefine terms such as "Department" and "Secretary" to align with the new administrative structure.

In addition to the transfer of responsibilities, the bill outlines the process for agencies to grant, issue, or renew contracts, licenses, and permits, ensuring that the employing unit is not in default with WorkForce West Virginia. It allows for a phased implementation of rules affecting specific agencies or types of contracts and establishes a procedure for exemptions from these rules after a year of coverage. Furthermore, the bill addresses the collection of delinquent payments and promotes interagency agreements to enhance information exchange, aiming to streamline the management of these assistance programs and improve service delivery to participants and their families.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-8-1, 9-9-3, 9-9-16, 21A-2-6, 21A-1-9, 21A-1-10, 21A-1-11