This bill makes several amendments to the General Laws in Chapter 40-5.2, which pertains to the Rhode Island Works Program. The amendments include adding definitions for various terms, such as "applicant," "assistance unit," "community service programs," "earned income," "earned income tax credit," "education directly related to employment," "family," "gross earnings," "individual employment plan," "job search and job readiness," "job skills training directly related to employment," "minor parent," "net income," and "on-the-job training." The bill also establishes eligibility requirements for the program, including citizenship, alienage, and residency requirements. It requires the development of an individual employment plan for participants, which includes participation in work requirements. The bill also establishes resource and income limits for eligibility and specifies that certain types of income and resources are not included in the determination of eligibility.

The bill also establishes a time limit on the receipt of cash assistance, stating that no cash assistance shall be provided to a family or assistance unit that includes an adult member who has received cash assistance for a total of sixty months. However, there are exceptions to this time limit, such as for minor children living with a parent who receives SSI benefits or a responsible adult non-parent caretaker relative. The bill also allows for hardship exceptions, where the Department of Human Services may extend cash assistance beyond the time limit due to hardship. The bill also outlines the work requirements for receipt of cash assistance, including the required number of hours per week and the types of work activities that can be counted towards the requirement. The bill also provides exemptions for certain individuals and includes provisions for sanctions if a participant fails to comply with the work requirements.