DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of
the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of
the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Broadwater HB No. 464
Abstract: Establishes a parish-level pilot initiative for workforce training and education to serve
certain recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits;
provides for location and functions of the pilot initiative.
Proposed law creates and provides for a workforce training and education pilot initiative within
the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps)
administered by the Dept. of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Provides that the pilot
initiative shall be located in a parish with a population of between 100,000 and 150,000 and in
which is located the main campus of a public four-year college or university.
Proposed law provides that the goals of the pilot initiative are:
(1)To provide incentives that are demonstrably effective in helping SNAP beneficiaries
achieve financial self-sufficiency.
(2)To connect employers to job candidates who possess requisite skills such that workforce
needs, especially in demand occupations, are readily met.
(3)To provide supports to SNAP recipients who choose to further their education.
(4)To yield a model for incentivizing training and education for public assistance recipients
that can be replicated throughout the state.
Proposed law provides that participants in the pilot initiative shall include nonworking, able-
bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs), as defined in federal regulation, who reside in the
parish in which the initiative is established and who are not exempted by any federal or state
policy from the limitation on duration of SNAP benefit recipience established pursuant to 7 CFR
273.24.
As a precondition for implementing the pilot initiative, proposed law requires DCFS to ensure
that the limitation on duration of SNAP benefit recipience by nonexempt ABAWDs provided in
7 CFR 273.24 (three months in any three-year period) is in effect in the parish in which the
initiative is established, and not lifted through any statewide or parish-level waiver.
Proposed law provides that the essential function of the pilot initiative is to provide to each
participant, at the time of benefits eligibility redetermination, a six-month extension of SNAP benefits conditioned upon the following:
(1)The participant meets one or more of the following criteria relative to educational
advancement:
(a)In the previous six months, the participant satisfied requirements established by
DCFS in rule relative to enrollment in an accredited postsecondary educational
institution that grants associate or baccalaureate degrees.
(b)In the previous six months, the participant satisfied requirements established by
DCFS in rule relative to enrollment in a program designed to lead to a high school
diploma.
(c)In the previous six months, the participant satisfied requirements established by
DCFS in rule relative to enrollment in a general education development test
preparation course.
(d)The participant earned a high school diploma or a general education development
diploma.
(2)The participant meets criteria relative to workforce readiness as required by DCFS in rule
including but not limited to the following:
(a)Participating for a specified minimum number of hours in an approved job
training program.
(b)Applying for a specified minimum number of jobs.
Proposed law requires DCFS to conduct SNAP eligibility redetermination for participants in the
pilot initiative no less frequently than once every six months.
Proposed law requires participants in the pilot initiative to provide to DCFS all requested
documentation of participation in a workforce training or education program at the time of SNAP
eligibility redetermination, and to comply with all other SNAP eligibility requirements as set
forth by DCFS.
Proposed law requires that prior to commencement of the pilot initiative, DCFS shall transmit
notice in writing to each prospective participant indicating that continuation of benefits beyond
the three-month limit will be conditioned upon engagement by the participant in acceptable
workforce training or education activities. Authorizes DCFS to take any other actions it deems
necessary to provide ABAWDs with adequate notification of the changes in SNAP benefits
eligibility to be instituted through the pilot initiative. Further, requires DCFS to do all of the
following relative to participant notification:
(1)Within two weeks of commencement of the pilot initiative, transmit to each prospective participant a form that provides a clear description of requirements for continuation of
benefits eligibility, and a space in which the participant may affirmatively acknowledge
that he understands these requirements.
(2)During the operation of the pilot initiative, promptly notify each participant of any
decision concerning his eligibility for SNAP benefits made pursuant to the
redetermination process provided for in proposed law.
Proposed law requires DCFS to promulgate all rules and regulations in accordance with the APA
as may be necessary to implement the provisions of proposed law.
Proposed law requires DCFS, prior to commencement of the pilot initiative, to transmit to the
members of the legislative committees on health and welfare a notice addressing the purpose and
function of the initiative and its commencement date. Provides that such notice may be
transmitted via electronic mail.
Proposed law requires that no later than 12 months after commencement of the pilot initiative,
and at least annually thereafter, DCFS shall submit a report on outcomes of the pilot initiative to
the legislative committees on health and welfare.
Proposed law provides that implementation of the pilot initiative is contingent upon federal
approval. Proposed law provides that DCFS may terminate the pilot initiative by emergency rule if it
determines that workforce participation outcomes or educational attainment have not improved
to a satisfactory degree as a result of the initiative. Authorizes and directs the DCFS secretary to
collaborate with the executive director of the La. Workforce Commission in workforce
participation outcomes evaluation prior to issuing any emergency rule to terminate the pilot
initiative.
Proposed law authorizes and directs DCFS to submit to the federal agency that administers
SNAP on or before Jan. 1, 2015, applications for any waiver, exemption, or other formal
authorization and any state plan amendment as may be necessary to implement the provisions of
proposed law.
(Adds R.S. 46:311-318)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to the
original bill.
1. Within the SNAP pilot initiative created by proposed law, changed the schedule of
eligibility redetermination and corresponding period of benefits extension from three
months to six months.
House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill.
1. Modified criteria concerning enrollment in postsecondary education institutions,
participation in high school diploma programs, and undertaking GED preparation
courses to stipulate that criteria relative to these endeavors shall be established by
DCFS in rule.
2. Added provision requiring DCFS, prior to commencement of the pilot initiative, to
transmit to the members of the legislative committees on health and welfare a notice
addressing the purpose and function of the initiative and its commencement date.
3. Made technical changes.