Bill Text: GA SB312 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
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
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
12 LC
33 4686S
The
Senate Health and Human Services Committee offered the following substitute to
SB 312:
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
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; and 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;
(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.
(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.