HB 2121
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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
House: APPROP DP 11-6-0-1
HB 2121: SNAP; mandatory employment and training
Sponsor: Representative Willoughby, LD 13
House Engrossed
Overview
Requires the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) to require able-bodied adults
who are under 60 years of age and receiving supplemental nutrition assistance to participate
in a mandatory employment and training program unless the person meets the exempt
criteria.
History
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides
nutrition benefits to low-income individuals and families that are used at stores to purchase
food. Individuals must apply in the state in which they currently live and meet certain
requirements. DES receives and reviews applications of eligible recipients for SNAP benefits.
7 U.S.C. § 2015(d) outlines the conditions to participate in SNAP. Each state agency must
implement an employment and training program designed by the state agency, in
consultation with the state workforce development board or with private employers or
employer organizations if the state can demonstrate that consultation with private employers
or employer organizations would be more effective or efficient to be approved by the U.S.
Secretary of Agriculture for the purpose of assisting members of households participating in
SNAP to gain skills, training, work or experience that will increase the ability of the
household members to obtain regular employment and meet state or local workforce needs.
A similar bill was introduced in the 56th legislature, 2nd regular session, and was vetoed by
the Governor (HB2502 SNAP; mandatory employment; training).
Provisions
1. Instructs DES to require able-bodied adults who are under 60 years of age and are
receiving SNAP to participate in the mandatory employment and training program,
unless the recipient meets the exempt criteria. (Sec. 1)
2. Outlines the criteria that a SNAP recipient must meet to be exempted from the
mandatory employment and training program:
a) be in compliance with the work registration requirements under Title IV of the Social
Security Act or the Federal-State Unemployment Compensation System;
b) be a parent or other member of a household who is responsible for the care of an
incapacitated person or a dependent child who is under the age of six;
c) be a bona fide student who is enrolled at least half time in any recognized school,
training program or institution of higher education unless the recipient is ineligible
to participate in the mandatory employment and training program;
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note HB 2121
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d) be a regular participant in a drug addiction or an alcoholic treatment and
rehabilitation program;
e) be employed a minimum of 30 hours per week or receiving weekly earnings that equal
the minimum hourly rate under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, multiplied by
30 hours; or
f) be 16-18 years of age and not the head of a household, attend school or be enrolled in
an employment training program on at least a half-time basis. (Sec. 1)
3. Asserts that a person who is noncompliant with the work registration requirements of
Title IV of the Social Security Act or the Federal State Unemployment Compensation
System is noncompliant with the work requirements. (Sec. 1)