SB 5898 — Concerning eligibility for public assistance programs.

S-2283.1SUBSTITUTES-2193.3SENATE SENATE BILL 5898State of Washington65th Legislature2017 Regular SessionBy Senate Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senator Braun)READBraunRead FIRSTfirst TIMEtime 03/23/17.AN03/21/17. ACT Relating to eligibility for public assistance programs;

amendingReferred RCWto 43.215.135,Committee 74.08A.260,on andWays 74.62.030;& Means.AN ACT Relating to eligibility for public assistance programs;

andamending addingRCW a74.08A.260 new section to chapter 74.08A RCW.BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:Sec. 1.  RCW 43.215.135 and 201574.62.030; 3rd sp.s.

cand 7adding sa 6new aresection each amended to readchapter as74.08A follows:(1)RCW.BE TheIT departmentENACTED shallBY establishTHE andLEGISLATURE implementOF policiesTHE inSTATE theOF workingWASHINGTON:Sec. 1.  RCW connections74.08A.260 child care program to promote stability and quality2011 of1st caresp.s. for children from low-income households.

These policies shall focus on supporting school readiness for young learners.

Policies for the expenditure of funds constituting the working connections child care program must be consistent with the outcome measures defined in RCW 74.08A.410 and the standards established in this section intended to promote stability, quality, and continuity of early care and education programming.(2) As recommended by Public Law 113-186, authorizations for the working connections child care subsidy shall be effective for twelve months beginning July 1, 2016, ((unless an earlier date is provided in the omnibus appropriations act)) except that for a change in the ongoing status of the child's parent as working or attending a job training or education program that is not temporary, assistance shall be discontinued after a minimum of three months.(3) As a condition of receiving a child care subsidy or a working connections child care subsidy, the applicant or recipient must seek child support enforcement services from the department of social and health services, division of child support, unless the department finds that the applicant or recipient has good cause not to cooperate.

For the purposes of this subsection, "good cause" shall include consideration of the safety of domestic violence victims.(4) Existing child care providers serving nonschool-age children and receiving state subsidy payments must complete the following requirements to be eligible for a state subsidy under this section:(a) Enroll in the early achievers program by August 1, 2016;(b) Complete level 2 activities in the early achievers program by August 1, 2017;

and(c) Rate at a level 3 or higher in the early achievers program by December 31, 2019.

If a child care provider rates below a level 3 by December 31, 2019, the provider must complete remedial activities with the department, and rate at a level 3 or higher no later than June 30, 2020.(((4))) (5) Effective July 1, 2016, a new child care provider serving nonschool-age children and receiving state subsidy payments must complete the following activities to be eligible to receive a state subsidy under this section:(a) Enroll in the early achievers program within thirty days of receiving the initial state subsidy payment;(b) Complete level 2 activities in the early achievers program within twelve months of enrollment;

and(c) Rate at a level 3 or higher in the early achievers program within thirty months of enrollment.

If a child care provider rates below a level 3 within thirty months from enrollment into the early achievers program, the provider must complete remedial activities with the department, and rate at a level 3 or higher within six months of beginning remedial activities.(((5))) (6) If a child care provider does not rate at a level 3 or higher following the remedial period, the provider is no longer eligible to receive state subsidy under this section.(((6))) (7) If a child care provider serving nonschool-age children and receiving state subsidy payments has successfully completed all level 2 activities and is waiting to be rated by the deadline provided in this section, the provider may continue to receive a state subsidy pending the successful completion of the level 3 rating activity.(((7))) (8) The department shall implement tiered reimbursement for early achievers program participants in the working connections child care program rating at level 3, 4, or 5.(((8))) (9) The department shall account for a child care copayment collected by the provider from the family for each contracted slot and establish the copayment fee by rule.Sec. 2.  RCW 74.08A.260 and 2011 1st sp.s.

and(iii) The characteristics of families who have been unsuccessful on the program and have lost their benefits either through sanction or the sixty-month time limit.(e) Staff support for the task force must be provided by senate committee services, the house of representatives office of program research, and the state agency members of the task force.(f) The task force shall meet on a quarterly basis beginning September 2011, or as determined necessary by the task force cochairs.(g) During its tenure, the state agency members of the task force shall respond in a timely manner to data requests from the cochairs.Sec. 3.  RCWcochairs.Sec. 2.  RCW 74.62.030 and 2013 2nd sp.s.

or(b) Is violating a condition of probation, community supervision, or parole imposed under federal or state law for a felony or gross misdemeanor conviction.NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4.  ASECTION.  Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 74.08A RCW to read as follows:All individuals shall demonstrate to the department that a job search has been conducted prior to applying for assistance in the Washington temporary assistance for needy families program.