Senate Bill 2069

AN ACT ENTITLED THE "MISSISSIPPI WELFARE RESTRUCTURING PROGRAM ACT OF 2008"; TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO ESTABLISH THE "MISSISSIPPI WORK PAYS" PROGRAM TO PROVIDE POST-EMPLOYMENT TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE TO TANF RECIPIENTS WHO ARE MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM WELFARE TO EMPLOYMENT; TO SPECIFY THE AUTHORIZED ASSISTANCE TO THESE TANF RECIPIENTS TO INCLUDE CASH PAYMENTS, JOB RETENTION BONUSES, CHILD CARE, TRANSPORTATION AND CAREER COUNSELING; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO CONTRACT WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY TO ADMINISTER THE MISSISSIPPI WORK PAYS PROGRAM; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO CONTRACT WITH THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY-OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING TO ESTABLISH A HIGH-WAGE EDUCATION AND TRAINING INITIATIVE AND A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT INITIATIVE; TO CREATE A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT INITIATIVE FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 43-17-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REDETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR TANF BENEFITS; TO DISQUALIFY TANF RECIPIENTS IN FAMILIES HAVING AN ADULT WHICH HAS RECEIVED TANF BENEFITS FOR FOUR YEARS; TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN ELIGIBLE FOR TANF BENEFITS TO THREE IN ANY FAMILY; TO DISQUALIFY ANY CHILD WHO HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO AN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PROGRAM FROM TANF BENEFITS; TO INCREASE SANCTIONS FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH REQUIRED WORK ACTIVITY; TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI WORK PAYS PROGRAM UNDER THE TANF STATUTES AND TO SPECIFICALLY PROVIDE THAT TANF PAYMENTS AND SUPPORT BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE TO ANY PERSON ENROLLED IN A TWO- OR FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE PROGRAM WHO OTHERWISE MEETS ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 43-17-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR FRAUDULENTLY OBTAINING TANF BENEFITS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 43-1-2, 43-19-31, 43-19-34, 43-19-35, 43-19-37, 43-19-44, 43-19-46, 43-19-47, 43-19-48, 43-19-49, 43-19-53, 43-19-55, 43-19-57, 43-19-58 AND 43-19-59, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO TRANSFER THE POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHILD SUPPORT UNIT OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO THE CHILD SUPPORT UNIT OF THE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL AND TO PROVIDE FOR A DIRECTOR THEREOF; TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE ON WELFARE RESTRUCTURING TO DEVELOP A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE 2009 REGULAR SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the Senate

• Joey Fillingane

  Sponsor

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the Senate Jan 14 – Feb 19

1. Jan 14Referred to the Senate committees on Public Health and Welfare and on Appropriations
2. Feb 19Died in committee in the Senate