TANF increase.

WORKING DRAFT

ORIGINAL HOUSE

BILL

NO.
0175

ENROLLED ACT NO. 126, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FIFTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2005 GENERAL SESSION

AN ACT relating to the personal opportunities with employment responsibilities program; amending eligibility requirements as specified; requiring a report; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.

W.S. 42
‑
2
‑
102(a)(ix) and 42
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2
‑
109(a)(ii)(A) through (C), (iii) and (b) are amended to read:

42
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2
‑
102.

Definitions.

(a)

Except as otherwise specifically provided, as used in this article:

(ix)

"Approved educational program" means any program at the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming community college leading to a baccalaureate,
or
associate degree, or
a vocational program
certificate

at
any such
the

school or a vocational program approved by the department, or other accredited educational program within Wyoming leading to a baccalaureate
,

or
associate degree
or nationally recognized certification or license
. The department, may, by rule and regulation specify particular courses of study or majors that do not generally lead to employment and are not approved educational programs.

42
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2
‑
109.

Review of assistance and services; termination or modification; notice to department of change in resources.

(a)

Public assistance and social services provided under this article shall be reviewed at least once each year, except for recipients enrolled in an approved educational program which shall be reviewed once every six (6) months. An approved educational program under this section shall be limited to educational courses not to exceed the baccalaureate degree level. After review, the department may continue, modify or terminate public assistance and social services in accordance with the circumstances of the recipient and the provisions of this article.
The department shall provide a report to the joint labor, health and social services interim committee no later than October 1, 2005, and annually thereafter, with respect to the number of new individuals enrolled in an approved education program under this section and how long each new student has been a Wyoming resident at the time of enrollment.

Review of recipients in an approved educational program pursuant to this subsection shall require that recipients:

(ii)

Be enrolled as a full-time student, provided:

(A)

To qualify as a full-time student under this paragraph, the student shall be enrolled for a minimum of twelve (12)
credit

hours per semester
or activities that equal twelve (12) credit hours as defined by the institution
and
complete
thirty (30)
twenty-four (24)

or more
credit

hours per year
or activities that equal twenty-four (24) credit hours per year as defined by the institution

in an approved educational program;

(B)

A full-time student qualifying under this paragraph is exempt from any work or community service requirement under this article, except as provided in
paragraphs
paragraph

(iii)
and (iv)
of this subsection;

(C)

To qualify under this paragraph, the full-time student
has been a resident of the state for not less than two (2) years prior to starting the educational program or is a graduate of a Wyoming high school
shall be a Wyoming resident in accordance with guidelines and criteria prescribed by rule and regulation of the department
.

(iii)

To
From the end of the spring semester to the beginning of the fall semester,

work at least thirty-two (32) hours per week for at least ten (10)
of the sixteen (16)
weeks
prior to starting the educational program. This requirement does not apply to persons who have begun their educational program before the effective date of this act
or successfully complete six (6) credit hours
. The department may waive this requirement for good cause;

(b)

Upon gaining possession of any property, income or other resources after receiving any public assistance and social services under this article, a recipient shall immediately notify the department as he becomes aware of the change in circumstances. The amount of public assistance and social services provided to the recipient shall be accordingly terminated or modified pursuant to rule and regulation of the department. Effective July 1, 1996, the department shall allow the exclusion of one (1) duly registered and licensed motor vehicle with a market value of less than
twelve thousand dollars ($12,000.00)
fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00)
, from personal resources in determining eligibility for any household under the personal opportunities with employment responsibilities (POWER) and food stamp programs. Married couples shall be allowed a second duly registered and licensed motor vehicle provided the aggregate value of both vehicles does not exceed
twelve thousand dollars ($12,000.00)
fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00)
.

Section 2.

W.S. 42
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2
‑
109(a)(iv) is repealed.

Section 3.

This act is effective July 1, 2005.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

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