HB438 By Representatives Hanes, Whorton (R), Williams (JW), Nordgren, Butler, Rich, Pettus, Fridy, Hill (M), Weaver, Sessions, Shiver, Mooney, Henry and Ledbetter RFD State Government Rd 1 17-MAR-16

SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, in certain circumstances, a state may request, a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture of the work requirements that an able-bodied adult without dependents must comply with in order to receive assistance from the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP).

This bill would prohibit the Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources from requesting a waiver of federal job requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents who are applicants or recipients of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program.

This bill would require all able-bodied adults without dependents who are applicants or recipients of SNAP benefits to participate in minimum work requirements, a work training program, or volunteer community service and provide limited exemptions from these work requirements.

This bill would also require the Department of Human Resources to develop a work training program for recipients of SNAP benefits.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

Relating to federal assistance; to prohibit the Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources from requesting a waiver of federal job requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents who are applicants or recipients of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP); to require all able-bodied adults without dependents who are applicants or recipients of SNAP benefits to participate in minimum work requirements, a work training program, or volunteer community service and provide limited exemptions from these work requirements; and to require the Department of Human Resources to develop a work training program for recipients of SNAP benefits.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:

Section 1. (a) As used in this section, an able-bodied adult without dependents means an individual between the ages of 18 and 49 who has no dependents and is not disabled.

(b) The Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources is prohibited from requesting a waiver of federal requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents who are applicants or recipients of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP).

(c) The Department of Human Resources shall ensure that each applicant or recipient of SNAP benefits who is an able-bodied adult without dependents meets one of the following requirements:

(1) Works at least 20 hours per week, averaged monthly;

(2) Participates in a work training program developed by the department pursuant to subsection (d).

(3) Participates in volunteer community service activities for up to the value of the food supplement benefit, calculated by multiplying the state minimum wage by the number of hours required to equal the SNAP benefit.

(d) The Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources, by rule, shall develop a work training program whereby a participant's education and employment history, employment and training interests, barriers to employment, and support service needs are reviewed and assessed, and department staff and the participant complete an Individual Employment Plan (IEP). The IEP is a contract between the department and the participant that outlines the responsibilities of the participant and shall include actions to be taken by the participant to achieve short or long-term employment related goals. Components of an IEP may include, but not be limited to, any of the following:

(1) Education, including, but not limited to, high school equivalency preparation or prevocational training.

(2) Job skills training, including but not limited to, customized occupational training or general skills training.

(3) Job counseling.

(e) The Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources shall approve and make publicly available a list of community agencies that may provide opportunities for applicants and recipients to fulfill work requirements through community service activities.

(f) An individual recipient of SNAP benefits who is an able-bodied adult without dependents subject to the requirements of this section who then loses his or her job, work training program, or volunteer community service position shall remain eligible to receive Food Supplement benefits, if otherwise eligible, for an additional period of three consecutive months without working or participating in a work training program or volunteer community service. This additional three-month period of eligibility is available to an able-bodied adult without dependents only once in any 36-month period.

Section 2. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Food Stamps

Human Resources Department

Food Assistance Program