Bill Text: GA SB312 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Comm Sub

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Bill Title: Public Assistance; applicants for food stamps and temporary assistance; require personal growth activities

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2012-03-22 - House Committee Favorably Reported [SB312 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-SB312-Comm_Sub.html

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12 LC 25 6063S

The House Committee on Judiciary offers the following substitute to SB 312:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public assistance, so as to require applicants for food stamps to engage in professional development activities; to provide for exemptions; to provide for revision to the state plan or to rules and regulations; to provide for a pilot program; to provide for related matters; to provide for contingent effectiveness; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public assistance, is amended in Article 1, relating to general provisions, by adding a new Code section to read as follows:

"49-4-20.

(a) In order to be eligible for food stamps, an applicant shall engage in professional development activities as provided, made available, or approved by the department, which may include, but not be limited to, working toward a general educational development (GED) diploma, if not a high school graduate; pursuing technical education; attending self-development classes; or enrolling in an adult literacy class.

(b) The department shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement the requirements of this Code section.

(c) This Code section shall not apply to an applicant who is:

(1) Under 16 years of age or over 59 years of age;

(2)(A) Developmentally disabled, which means having a severe, chronic disability that meets all of the following conditions:

(i) Is attributable to:

(I) Cerebral palsy or epilepsy; or

(II) Any other condition found to be closely related to mental retardation due to the condition resulting in impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to that of mentally retarded persons and requiring treatment or services similar to that required for those persons.

(ii) Manifested before the person reaches age 22;

(iii) Is likely to continue indefinitely; and

(iv) Results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity:

(I) Self-care;

(II) Understanding and use of language;

(III) Learning;

(IV) Mobility;

(V) Self-direction; and

(VI) Capacity for independent living.

(B) Physically or mentally unfit for employment, which may consist of a permanent disability, as evidenced by receipt of supplemental security income under Title XVI of the federal Social Security Act, or a temporary disability, as evidenced by a statement from a licensed physician or psychologist;

(3) A caretaker for a dependent child under six years of age or for an incapacitated adult or is a parent who is the primary caregiver of a dependent child under 16 years of age;

(4) Employed at least 30 hours per week;

(5) Participating in a drug or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program;

(6) A student enrolled at least half time; or

(7) Receiving unemployment insurance."

SECTION 2.

(a) The Department of Human Services shall take any necessary steps to revise any applicable state plan or rules and regulations to effectuate the requirements of this Act.
(b) Prior to the state-wide implementation of the requirements of this Act, the Department of Human Services shall develop and implement a pilot program to determine the most beneficial manner of implementing such requirements. The department shall be authorized to establish such rules and regulations as may be necessary or desirable in order to execute the pilot program. The pilot program shall be conducted in five counties designated by the department.

SECTION 3.

This Act shall become effective only if funds are specifically appropriated for purposes of this Act in an appropriations Act making specific reference to this Act and shall become effective when funds so appropriated become available for expenditure.

SECTION 4.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.