Bill No.: HB0175                  Drafter:  LGC

 

LSO No.:  05LSO-0246              Effective Date:  3/15/2005

 

Enrolled Act No.:  HEA0126

 

Chapter No.:       238

 

Prime Sponsor:     Representative Warren

 

Catch Title:       TANF increase.

 

Subject:   Amends eligibility requirements for the personal opportunities with employment responsibilities (POWER) program.

 

Summary/Major Elements:

 

·         Currently students enrolled in a program leading to an associate or bachelors degree or a vocational program qualify for the POWER program.  The bill changes  coverage from vocational programs to programs leading to a certification or license.

 

·         Requires the department of family services to provide a report on the number of new individuals enrolled in an approved education program and residency status of those individuals.

 

·         Redefines the minimum hours a student must be enrolled by allowing enrollment in activities that equal the necessary credit hours.

 

·         Removes two year residency requirement and allows the department to set the residency requirement by rule and regulation.

 

·         Changes work requirements to be during the summer rather than prior to enrollment in the POWER program, and allows the student to be enrolled over the summer as an alternative to the work requirement.

 

·         Increases the vehicle value exemption from the resource limitation.

 

Comments: 

 

·Report Required - Requires the department of family services to provide by October 1 an annual report to the joint labor, health and social services interim committee on the number of new individuals enrolled in an approved education program and residency status of those individuals.

·Creates/amends major program – Amends POWER program.