Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

Oklahoma Senate Bill SB281 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

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3		-	SB281 HFLR Page 1
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	3	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 281 Page 1 1
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28		-
29		-	HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION
30		-
31		-	STATE OF OKLAHOMA
32		-
33		-	1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023)
34	27
35	28		ENGROSSED SENATE
36	29		BILL NO. 281 By: Coleman of the Senate
37	30
38	31		and
39	32
40	33		Talley of the House
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45	38		An Act relating to the Temporary Assistance for Needy
46	39		Families (TANF) program ; amending 56 O.S. 2021,
47	40		Section 230.52, which relates to minimum mandatory
48	41		requirements; modifying certain exemption from
49	42		resource determination criteria; deleting obsolete
50	43		reference; updating statutory language; amending 56
51	44		O.S. 2021, Section 230.53, which relates to exclusion
52	45		of automobile from dete rmination of applicant ’s
53	46		resources; modifying exclusion; providing an
54	47		effective date; and de claring an emergency .
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59	52		BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
60	53		SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 56 O.S. 2021, Section 230.52, is
61	54		amended to read as follows:
62	55		Section 230.52. A. Except for specific exceptions, con ditions
63	56		or restrictions authorized by the Statewide Temporary Assistance
64	57		Responsibility System (S TARS) and rules promulgated by the
65	58		Commission for Director of the Depa rtment of Human Services pursuan t
66	59		thereto, the following are the minimum mandatory req uirements for
67	60		the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program:
	61	+	1. A recipient shall be e ligible to receive assistance p ursuant
	62	+	to the TANF program only for a lifetime total of five (5) years ,
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69		-	SB281 HFLR Page 2
70		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	64	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 281 Page 2 1
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95		-	1. A recipient shall be e ligible to receive assistance pursuant
96		-	to the TANF program only for a lifetime total of five (5) years ,
97	89		subject to the exemptions allowed by federal law. C hild-only cases
98	90		are not subject to the five -year limitation;
99	91		2. Single parents receiving temporary assistance pursuant to
100	92		the TANF program shall participate in work acti vities for a minimum
101	93		of twenty (20) hours per week during the month. Two -parent families
102	94		receiving temporary assistance pursuant to the TANF program shall
103	95		participate in work activities for a minimum of thirty -five (35)
104	96		hours per week during the month;
105	97		3. A recipient must be engaged in one or more of the work
106	98		activities set out in paragra ph 4 of this subsection as soon as
107	99		required by the Department of Human Services pursuant to the TANF
108	100		program, but not later than tw enty-four (24) months after
109	101		certification of the application for assist ance, unless the person
110	102		is exempt from work requiremen ts under rules promulgated by the
111	103		Commission Director pursuant to the STARS;
112	104		4. The Department shal l develop and describe categori es of
113	105		approved work activities for the TANF program recipients in
114	106		accordance with this paragraph. Work activities that qualify in
115	107		meeting the requirements include, but are not limited to:
116	108		a. (1) unsubsidized employment which is full-time
117	109		employment or part-time employment that is not
118	110		directly supplemented by federal or state funds,
	111	+	(2) subsidized private sector employment which is
	112	+	employment in a private for -profit enterprise or
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120		-	SB281 HFLR Page 3
121		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	114	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 281 Page 3 1
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146		-	(2) subsidized private sector employment which is
147		-	employment in a private for -profit enterprise or
148	139		a private not-for-profit enterprise that is
149	140		directly supplemented by federal o r state funds.
150	141		Prior to receiving any subsidy or incentive, the
151	142		employer shall enter into a written contract with
152	143		the Department, and
153	144		(3) subsidized public sector employment which is
154	145		employment by an agency of a federal, sta te, or
155	146		local governmental entit y which is directly
156	147		supplemented by federal or state funds. Prior to
157	148		receiving any subsidy or incentive, the employer
158	149		shall enter into a written contract with the
159	150		Department.
160	151		Subsidized hourly employment or unsubsidized hour ly
161	152		employment pursuant to this subparagraph shall only be
162	153		approved by the Department as work activity if such
163	154		employment is subject to:
164	155		(a) the federal minimum wage requirements
165	156		pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act of
166	157		1938, as amended,
167	158		(b) the federal Social Security tax and Medicar e
168	159		tax, and
	160	+	(c) regulations promulgated pursuant to the
	161	+	federal Occupational Safety and Health Act
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170		-	SB281 HFLR Page 4
171		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	163	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 281 Page 4 1
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196		-	(c) regulations promulgated pursuant to the
197		-	federal Occupational Safety and Health Act
198	188		of 1970 and rules promulgated by the State
199	189		Department of Labor pursuant thereto,
200	190		b. a program of work experience,
201	191		c. on-the-job training,
202	192		d. assisted job search which may include supervised or
203	193		unsupervised job-seeking activities,
204	194		e. job readiness assistance which may include, but is no t
205	195		limited to:
206	196		(1) orientation in the work environment and basic
207	197		job-seeking and job retention ski lls,
208	198		(2) instruction in complet ing an application for
209	199		employment and writing a resume, and
210	200		(3) instruction in conducting oneself during a job
211	201		interview, including appropriate dress,
212	202		f. job skills training which is directly related to
213	203		employment in a specif ic occupation for which there i s
214	204		a written commitment by an employer t o offer
215	205		employment to a recipien t who successfully completes
216	206		the training. Job skills tr aining includes, but is
217	207		not limited to, customized training designed to meet
218	208		the needs of a speci fic employer or a specific
219	209		industry,
	210	+	g. community service programs whi ch are job-training
	211	+	activities provided in areas where sufficient public
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221		-	SB281 HFLR Page 5
222		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	213	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 281 Page 5 1
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247		-	g. community service programs whi ch are job-training
248		-	activities provided in areas where sufficient public
249	238		or private sector employment is not available. Such
250	239		activities are linked to both education or training
251	240		and activities that substantially enhan ce a
252	241		recipient’s employability,
253	242		h. literacy and adult basic education p rograms,
254	243		i. vocational-educational programs, not to excee d twelve
255	244		(12) months for any individual, which are directed
256	245		toward vocational-educational training and education
257	246		directly related to employment,
258	247		j. education programs which are directly related to
259	248		specific employment opportunities, if a recipient has
260	249		not received a high school diploma or General
261	250		Equivalency Degree General Educational Development
262	251		certificate, and
263	252		k. child care for other STARS recipients. The recipient
264	253		must meet training and licensing requirements for
265	254		child care providers as required by the Oklahoma Child
266	255		Care Facilities Licensing Act ;
267	256		5. Single, custodial parents with a child up to one (1) year of
268	257		age may be exempt from work activities for a lifetime total
269	258		exemption of twelve (12) mon ths;
	259	+	6. In order to receive assistance, unmarried teen parents of a
	260	+	minor child at least twelve (12) weeks of age must participate in
	261	+	educational activities or work activities approved by the state;
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271		-	SB281 HFLR Page 6
272		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	263	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 281 Page 6 1
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297		-	6. In order to receive assistance, unmarried teen parents of a
298		-	minor child at least twelve (12) weeks of age must participate in
299		-	educational activities or work ac tivities approved by the state;
300	288		7. For single-parent families, except for teen parents,
301	289		educational activities, other than vocational -technical training, do
302	290		not count toward meeting the re quired twenty (20) hours of work
303	291		activity. For two-parent families, educational act ivities, except
304	292		vocational-technical training, do not count toward meet ing the
305	293		required thirty-five (35) hours of work activity;
306	294		8. A teen parent must live at home or in a n approved, adult-
307	295		supervised setting as specified in Section 230.55 of this title to
308	296		receive TANF assistance;
309	297		9. A recipient must comply with immunization requirements
310	298		established pursuant to the TANF program;
311	299		10. A recipient shall be subject to the incr ement in benefits
312	300		for additional children established by Section 230.58 of this titl e;
313	301		11. The following recipient resources are exempt from resource
314	302		determination criteria:
315	303		a. an one automobile with an equity allowance of not more
316	304		than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) per household
317	305		pursuant to Section 230.53 of this title,
318	306		b. individual development accounts established pursuant
319	307		to the Family Savings Initi ative Act, or individual
320	308		development accounts established prior to November 1,
	309	+	1998, pursuant to the provisions of Sect ion 230.54 of
	310	+	this title in an amount not to exceed Two Thousand
	311	+	Dollars ($2,000.00),
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322		-	SB281 HFLR Page 7
323		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	313	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 281 Page 7 1
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348		-	1998, pursuant to the provisions of Sect ion 230.54 of
349		-	this title in an amount not to exce ed Two Thousand
350		-	Dollars ($2,000.00),
351	338		c. the equity value of funeral arrangements owned b y a
352	339		recipient that does not exceed the limitation
353	340		specified by Section 165 of this title, and
354	341		d. earned income disregar ds not to exceed One Hundred
355	342		Twenty Dollars ($120.00) and one -half (1/2) of the
356	343		remainder of the earned income;
357	344		12. 11. An applicant who applies and is otherwise eligible to
358	345		receive TANF benefits but who has resided in this state less than
359	346		twelve (12) months shall be subject to Section 230.57 of this title;
360	347		13. 12. The recipient shall enter into a personal
361	348		responsibility agreement with th e Department for receipt of
362	349		assistance pursuant to Section 230.65 of this title;
363	350		14. 13. The Department shall, beginning November 1, 2012,
364	351		screen all adult applicants for TANF to deter mine if they are
365	352		engaged in the illegal use of a controlled substance o r substances.
366	353		If the Department has made a determination that the applicant is
367	354		engaged in the illegal use of a controlled substanc e or substances,
368	355		the applicant’s request for TANF cash benefits shall be denied. The
369	356		Commission for Human Services Director shall adopt rules to
370	357		implement the requirem ents of this paragraph consistent with the
371	358		following:
	359	+	a. the Department shall create a c ontrolled substance
	360	+	screening process to be administer ed at the time of
	361	+	application. The process shall, at a minimum, includ e
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373		-	SB281 HFLR Page 8
374		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	363	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 281 Page 8 1
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399		-	a. the Department shall create a c ontrolled substance
400		-	screening process to be administered at the time of
401		-	application. The process shall, at a minimum, includ e
402	388		a Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Invent ory (SASSI)
403	389		or other similar screening methods. If necessary to
404	390		establish a reasonable expectation of certainty, the
405	391		Department is authorized to use further screening
406	392		methods, which may include, but are not limit ed to, a
407	393		clinical interview, consideration of the Department’s
408	394		history with the applicant, and an Addictions
409	395		Addiction Severity Index (ASI). If the Department has
410	396		reasonable cause to b elieve that the applicant is
411	397		engaged in the illegal use of a controlled substance
412	398		or substances, the Department is authorize d, though
413	399		not required, to request administration of a chemical
414	400		drug test, such as urina lysis. The cost of all such
415	401		initial screenings shall not be borne by the
416	402		applicant,
417	403		b. if at any time during the controlled substance
418	404		screening process, the applicant refuses to
419	405		participate, that refusal shall lead to a denial of
420	406		TANF benefits,
421	407		c. if the Department, as the result of a controlled
422	408		substance screening process, has determined that the
	409	+	applicant is engaged in the illegal use of a
	410	+	controlled substance or subs tances, the applicant ’s
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424		-	SB281 HFLR Page 9
425		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	412	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 281 Page 9 1
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450		-	applicant is engaged in the illegal use of a
451		-	controlled substance or subs tances, the applicant ’s
452	437		request for TANF cash benefits shall be denied,
453	438		subject to the following:
454	439		(1) if there has not already been a chemical drug
455	440		test administered as part of the controlled
456	441		substance screening process, the applicant may
457	442		submit proof of a negative chemical drug test
458	443		from a state certified laboratory to challenge
459	444		the Department’s finding that the applicant is
460	445		engaged in the illegal use of a controlled
461	446		substance or substances. Proof of the chemical
462	447		drug test must be submitted to the Departm ent no
463	448		later than the tenth calendar day following
464	449		denial. If denial is communicated by mail, the
465	450		ten (10) day ten-day window begins on the day
466	451		after the date of mailing of the denial notice to
467	452		the applicant’s last-known address. The denial
468	453		notice is considered to be mailed on the date
469	454		that appears on the notice, unless otherwise
470	455		indicated by the facts,
471	456		(2) if denied due to the provi sions of this
472	457		subparagraph, an applicant shall not be approved
	458	+	until one (1) year has passed since the date of
	459	+	denial,
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474		-	SB281 HFLR Page 10
475		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	461	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 281 Page 10 1
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500		-	until one (1) year has passed since the date of
501		-	denial,
502	486		(a) if the applicant is denied due to the
503	487		provisions of this paragraph, the Department
504	488		shall provide a list of substance abuse
505	489		treatment programs to the denied applicant,
506	490		and
507	491		(b) if an applicant has succ essfully complied
508	492		with a recommended substance abuse treatment
509	493		program after the date of denial, the
510	494		applicant may be approved for cash benefits
511	495		after six (6) months have passed since the
512	496		date of denial, rather than the required one
513	497		(1) year, and
514	498		(3) if an applicant has been denied TANF cash
515	499		benefits two times due to the pro visions of this
516	500		subparagraph, the applicant shall be ineligible
517	501		for TANF benefits for a period of three (3) years
518	502		from the date of the second denial,
519	503		d. child-only cases and minor parent s under eighteen (18)
520	504		years of age are not subject to the provisions o f this
521	505		paragraph, and
522	506		e. in cases where the application for TANF benefits is
523	507		not for child-only benefits, but there is not a parent
	508	+	who has been deemed eligible for cash benefits under
	509	+	the provisions of this paragraph, any cash benefits
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525		-	SB281 HFLR Page 11
526		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	511	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 281 Page 11 1
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551		-	who has been deemed eligible for cash benefits under
552		-	the provisions of this paragraph, any cash benefits
553	536		for which the dependent children of the family are
554	537		still eligible shall not be affected and may be
555	538		received and administered by an appropriate third
556	539		party approved by the Department for the benefit of
557	540		the members of the household;
558	541		15. 14. a. As a condition of participating in t he STARS, all
559	542		recipients are deemed to have given authorization for
560	543		the release of any a nd all information necessary to
561	544		allow all state and federal agencies to meet the
562	545		program needs of the recipient.
563	546		b. The recipient shall be provided a release form to si gn
564	547		in order to obtain the required information. Failure
565	548		to sign the release form may re sult in case closure;
566	549		and
567	550		16. 15. The recipient shall comply with all other conditions
568	551		and requirements of the STARS, and rules of the Commission
569	552		promulgated pursuant ther eto.
570	553		B. 1. Agencies of this state involved in providing services to
571	554		recipients pursuant to the STARS shall exchange information as
572	555		necessary for each agency to accomplish objec tives and fulfill
573	556		obligations created or imposed by the STARS and rules promul gated
574	557		pursuant thereto.
	558	+	2. Information received pursuant to the STARS shall be
	559	+	maintained by the applicable agency and, except as otherwise
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576		-	SB281 HFLR Page 12
577		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	561	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 281 Page 12 1
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602		-	2. Information received pursuant to the STARS shall be
603		-	maintained by the applicable agency and, except as otherwise
604	586		provided by this subsection, shall be disclosed only in accordance
605	587		with any confidentiality provisions applicable t o the agency
606	588		originating the information.
607	589		3. The various agencies of the state shall ex ecute operating
608	590		agreements to facilitate information exchanges pursuant to the
609	591		STARS.
610	592		C. In implementing the TANF program, the Department shall:
611	593		1. Provide assistance to aliens pursuant to Section 230.73 of
612	594		this title;
613	595		2. Provide for the closure of the TANF case when the adult
614	596		recipient refuses to cooperate with agreed upon work activities o r
615	597		other case requirements pursuant to the TANF program;
616	598		3. Provide for the sa nctioning of parents who do not require
617	599		their minor children to attend school; and
618	600		4. Deny temporary assistance to fugitive felons.
619	601		D. In order to ensure that the needy citizen s of this state are
620	602		receiving necessary benefits, the Department shall maintai n a
621	603		listing of all recipients receiving public assistance. The listing
622	604		shall reflect each recipient’s income, social security number, and
623	605		the programs in which the recipient is participating including, but
624	606		not limited to, TANF, food stamps, child care, an d medical
625	607		assistance.
	608	+	E. The Department is hereby authorized to establish a grant
	609	+	diversion program and emergency assistance services.
626	610
627		-	SB281 HFLR Page 13
628		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	611	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 281 Page 13 1
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653		-	E. The Department is hereby authorized to establish a grant
654		-	diversion program and emergency assistance services.
655	636		SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 56 O.S. 2021, Section 230.53, is
656	637		amended to read as follows:
657	638		Section 230.53. The Department of Human Services shall exclude
658	639		an one automobile with an equity allowance of not more than Five
659	640		Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) per household from the determination of
660	641		resources available to meet the needs of an applicant for or
661	642		recipient of benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy
662	643		Families (TANF) program.
663	644		SECTION 3. This act shall become effective July 1, 2023.
664	645		SECTION 4. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
665	646		of the public peace, health or safety, an emerg ency is hereby
666	647		declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
667	648		be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
	649	+	Passed the Senate the 23rd day of February, 2023.
668	650
669		-	COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS AND BUDGET , dated
670		-	04/13/2023 - DO PASS.
	651	+
	652	+
	653	+	Presiding Officer of the Senate
	654	+
	655	+
	656	+	Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________,
	657	+	2023.
	658	+
	659	+
	660	+
	661	+	Presiding Officer of the House
	662	+	of Representatives
	663	+