Bill Text: NJ A4319 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires county and municipal welfare agencies to create certain records of all individuals who inquire about public assistance programs.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-11-14 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Human Services Committee [A4319 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-A4319-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ELIZABETH MAHER MUOIO
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Requires county and municipal welfare agencies to create certain records of all individuals who inquire about public assistance programs.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act requiring county and municipal welfare agencies to create certain records and supplementing Title 44 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Commissioner of Human Services shall require all directors of county welfare agencies and municipal welfare agencies to collect data to maintain a record of each individual who seeks information on public assistance programs at the county or municipal agencies and report the data collected annually to the State. The data to be collected and included in the record shall include, but not be limited to, the following information: the individual's name, gender, and age; citizenship status; place of residence; time and place of last employment; income; public assistance programs considered for the individual; public assistance programs applied to by the individual; and public assistance programs approved or denied for the individual. If public assistance programs are denied to the individual, the reasons for the denial shall be included in the record.
b. The commissioner shall require all directors of county welfare agencies and municipal welfare agencies to provide to each individual who seeks information on public assistance programs at the county or municipal agencies with a receipt of their inquiry on the availability of public assistance. If an individual is denied public assistance by the county welfare agency or municipal welfare agency, the agency shall supply the reason for denial on the receipt of inquiry.
c. As used in this section:
"County welfare agency" means that agency of county government, which is charged with the responsibility for determining eligibility for one or more public assistance programs including, but not limited to: NJ FamilyCare or Medicaid; WorkFirst New Jersey/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families; WorkFirst New Jersey/General Assistance; Emergency Assistance; New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; or any related support services.
"Municipal welfare agency" means that agency of municipal government, which is charged with the responsibility for determining eligibility for one or more public assistance programs including, but not limited to: NJ FamilyCare or Medicaid; WorkFirst New Jersey/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families; WorkFirst New Jersey/General Assistance; Emergency Assistance; New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; or any related support services.
"Public assistance programs" shall include, but not be limited to, NJ FamilyCare or Medicaid; WorkFirst New Jersey/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families; WorkFirst New Jersey/General Assistance; Emergency Assistance; New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; or any related support services.
2. The Commissioner of Human Services shall, in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), adopt any rules and regulations as the commissioner deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.
3. This act shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month next following the date of enactment, except that the Commissioner of Human Services may take any anticipatory administrative action in advance as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill would require all county and municipal welfare agencies to collect data to maintain a record of all individuals who seek information on public assistance programs from the agencies and report the data collected annually to the State.
The data to be collected and included in the record shall include, but not be limited to, the following information: the individual's name, gender, and age; citizenship status; place of residence; time and place of last employment; income; public assistance programs considered for the individual; public assistance programs applied to by the individual; and public assistance programs approved or denied for the individual. If public assistance programs are denied to the individual, the reasons for the denial would also be included in the record.
Additionally, the bill would require the agencies to provide a receipt to the individual who sought assistance confirming their inquiry. Furthermore, if the individual is denied public assistance, the receipt must include the reason for denial.
Public assistance programs are defined as including, but not limited to: NJ FamilyCare or Medicaid; WorkFirst New Jersey/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families; WorkFirst New Jersey/General Assistance; Emergency Assistance; New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; or any related support services.
