1995 Wisconsin Act 289

c. For an individual not specified under subd. 3. a. or b., the individual shall pay the premium directly to the Wisconsin works agency, or, if the individual and his or her employer agree, the individual's employer may deduct the premium from the individual's payroll and pay the premium to the Wisconsin works agency.

4. The Wisconsin works agency shall remit to the department of industry, labor and job development in the manner prescribed by the department of industry, labor and job development all premium payments that the Wisconsin works agency receives under this paragraph.

289,94 Section 94 . 49.155 of the statutes is created to read:

49.155 Wisconsin works; child care subsidy. (1) Definitions. In this section:

(a) “Level I certified family day care provider" means a day care provider certified under s. 48.651 (1) (a).

(b) “Level II certified family day care provider" means a day care provider certified under s. 48.651 (1) (b).

(1m) Eligibility. A Wisconsin works agency shall determine eligibility for a child care subsidy under this section. Under this section, an individual may receive a subsidy for child care for a child who has not attained the age of 13 if the individual meets all of the following conditions:

(a) The individual is a custodial parent of a child who is under the age of 13, or is a person who, under s. 48.57 (3m), is providing care and maintenance for a child who is under the age of 13, and child care services for that child are needed in order for the individual to do any of the following:

1. Meet the school attendance requirement under s. 49.26 (1) (ge).

2. Work in an unsubsidized job, including training provided by an employer during the regular hours of employment.

3. Work in a Wisconsin works employment position, including participation in education or training activities under s. 49.147 (3) (am), (4) (am) or (5) (bm).

4. Participate in other employment skills training, including an English as a 2nd language course, if the Wisconsin works agency determines that the course would facilitate the individual's efforts to obtain employment; a course of study meeting the standards established by the secretary of education under s. 115.29 (4) for the granting of a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation; a course of study at a technical college; or participation in educational courses that provide an employment skill, as determined by the department. An individual may receive aid under this subdivision for up to one year. An individual may not receive aid under this subdivision unless the individual meets at least one of the following conditions:

a. The individual has been employed in unsubsidized employment for 9 consecutive months and continues to be so employed.

b. The individual is a participant in a Wisconsin works employment position.

(b) The individual meets the eligibility conditions under s. 49.145 (2) (c) to (g) and (3) (a), except that an individual may be eligible for a child care subsidy under this section regardless of the number of days the individual has resided in this state prior to applying for the child care subsidy.

(c) The gross income of the individual's family is at or below 165% of the poverty line for a family the size of the individual's family. In calculating the gross income of the family, the Wisconsin works agency shall include income described under s. 49.145 (3) (b) 1. to 3.

(d) The individual satisfies other eligibility criteria established by the department by rule.

(3) County administration. (a) A Wisconsin works agency shall refer an individual who has been determined eligible under sub. (1m) to a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23 for child care assistance.

(b) The county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23 shall administer child care assistance under this section. In administering child care assistance under this section, the county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23 shall do all of the following:

1. Determine an individual's liability under sub. (5).

2. Provide a voucher to an eligible individual for the payment of child care services provided by a child care provider or otherwise reimburse child care providers.

3. Set maximum reimbursement rates as provided under sub. (6) (b).

5. Certify child care providers under s. 48.651.

6. Assist individuals who are eligible for child care subsidies under this section to identify available child care providers and select appropriate child care arrangements.

(4) Choice of provider. An eligible individual shall choose whether the child care will be provided by a day care center licensed under s. 48.65, a Level I certified family day care provider, a Level II certified family day care provider or a day care program provided or contracted for by a school board under s. 120.13 (14).

(5) Liability for payment. (a) Subject to a modification made pursuant to par. (b), an individual is liable for the following percentages of the cost of child care received:

1. For an individual with an income equal to or less than 75% of the poverty line, 7.5%.

2. For an individual with an income greater than 75% of the poverty line and not greater than 95% of the poverty line, 10%.

3. For an individual with an income greater than 95% of the poverty line, 10%, plus 1.2857% for every percentage point by which the individual's income exceeds 95% of the poverty line, except that no individual may be required to pay more than 100% of the cost of the child care.

(b) The department may submit a proposal to the joint committee on finance to modify the percentages under par. (a). If, within 14 days after the date of receipt of the department's proposal, the cochairpersons of the committee do not notify the secretary that the committee has scheduled a meeting for the purpose of reviewing the proposed modifications, the department may make the modifications specified in the proposal. If, within 14 days after the date of receipt of the department's proposal, the cochairpersons of the committee notify the secretary that the committee has scheduled a meeting for the purpose of reviewing the proposed modifications, the department may not make the modifications specified in the proposal until the committee approves the proposal.

(6) Child care rates and quality standards. (a) The department shall establish the maximum rate that a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23 may pay for child care services provided under this section. The department shall set the rate so that at least 75% of the number of places for children within the licensed capacity of all child care providers in each county or in a multicounty area determined by the department can be purchased at or below that maximum rate.

(b) The department shall set a maximum rate that a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23 may pay for Level I certified family day care providers for services provided to eligible individuals. The maximum rate set under this paragraph may not exceed 75% of the rate established under par. (a).

(c) The department shall set a maximum rate that a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23 may pay for Level II certified family day care providers for services provided to eligible individuals. The maximum rate set under this paragraph may not exceed 50% of the rate established under par. (a).

(d) The department may establish a system of rates for child care programs that exceed the quality of care standards required for licensure under s. 48.65 or for certification under s. 48.651 (1) (a).

(7) Refusal to pay child care providers. (a) The department or the county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23 may refuse to pay a child care provider for child care provided under this section if any of the following applies to the child care provider, employe or person living on the premises where child care is provided:

1. The person has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that the department or county department determines substantially relates to the care of children.

2. The person is the subject of a pending criminal charge that the department or county department determines substantially relates to the care of children.

3. The person has been determined under s. 48.981 to have abused or neglected a child.

(b) The department shall promulgate rules establishing the method by which a determination under par. (a) is made.

289,95 Section 95 . 49.157 of the statutes is created to read:

49.157 Wisconsin works; transportation assistance. A Wisconsin works agency may provide transportation assistance in the manner prescribed by the department by rule. The Wisconsin works agency shall limit any financial assistance granted under this subsection to financial assistance for public transportation if a form of public transportation that meets the needs of the participant is available.

289,96 Section 96 . 49.159 of the statutes is created to read:

49.159 Wisconsin works; noncustodial and minor and other custodial parents. (1) Noncustodial parents. (a) An individual who would be eligible under s. 49.145 except that the individual is the noncustodial parent of a dependent child, is eligible for services under this subsection if the dependent child's custodial parent is a participant and if the individual is subject to a child support order. The Wisconsin works agency may provide job search assistance and case management designed to enable eligible noncustodial parents to obtain and retain employment.

(b) An individual who would be eligible under s. 49.145 except that the individual is the noncustodial parent of a dependent child may participate in a Wisconsin works employment position if all of the following conditions are met:

1. The custodial parent of the dependent child meets the income requirements under s. 49.145 (3) (b).

2. The custodial parent of the dependent child is not a participant in a Wisconsin works employment position.

3. The individual is subject to a child support order for the dependent child.

(2) Minor custodial parents; financial and employment counseling. A custodial parent who is under the age of 18 is eligible, regardless of that individual's or that individual's parent's income or assets, to meet with a financial and employment planner. The financial and employment planner may provide the individual with information regarding Wisconsin works eligibility, available child care services, employment and financial planning, family planning services, community resources, eligibility for food stamps and other food and nutrition programs.

(3) Other custodial parents. A custodial parent in a Wisconsin works group in which the other custodial parent is a participant in a Wisconsin works employment position is eligible for employment training and job search assistance services provided by the Wisconsin works agency.

(4) Pregnant women. A pregnant woman whose pregnancy is medically verified who would be eligible under s. 49.145 except that she is not a custodial parent of a dependent child is eligible for employment training and job search assistance services provided by the Wisconsin works agency.

289,97 Section 97 . 49.161 of the statutes is created to read:

49.161 Wisconsin works; overpayments. (1) Trial jobs overpayments. Notwithstanding s. 49.96, the department shall recover an overpayment of benefits paid under s. 49.148 (1) (a) from an individual who receives or has received benefits paid under s. 49.148 (1) (a). The value of the benefit liable for recovery under this subsection may not exceed the amount that the department paid in wage subsidies with respect to that participant while the participant was ineligible to participate. The department shall promulgate rules establishing policies and procedures for administrating this subsection.

(2) Community service jobs and transitional placements overpayments. Except as provided in sub. (3), the department shall recover an overpayment of benefits paid under s. 49.148 (1) (b) and (c) from an individual who continues to receive benefits under s. 49.148 (1) (b) and (c) by reducing the amount of the individual's benefit payment by no more than 10%.

(3) Overpayments caused by intentional program violations. If an overpayment under sub. (1) or (2) is the result of an intentional violation of ss. 49.141 to 49.161 or of rules promulgated by the department under those sections, the department shall recover the overpayment by deducting an amount from the benefits received under s. 49.148 (1) (a), (b) or (c), until the overpayment is recovered. The amount to be deducted each month may not exceed the following:

(a) For intentional program violations resulting in an overpayment that is less than $300, 10% of the amount of the monthly benefit payment.

(b) For intentional program violations resulting in an overpayment that is at least $300 but less than $1,000, $75.

(c) For intentional program violations resulting in an overpayment that is at least $1,000 but less than $2,500, $100.

(d) For intentional program violations resulting in an overpayment that is $2,500 or more, $200.

289,99g Section 99g. 49.185 of the statutes is created to read:

49.185 Employment skills advancement program. (1) Definitions. In this section:

(a) “Custodial parent" has the meaning given in s. 49.141 (1) (b).

(b) “Dependent child" has the meaning given in s. 49.141 (1) (c).

(c) “Family" means an individual who is a custodial parent, all dependent children with respect to whom the individual is a custodial parent and all dependent children with respect to whom the individual's dependent child is a custodial parent. “Family" includes any nonmarital coparent, as defined in s. 49.141 (1) (i), or any spouse of the individual who resides in the same household as the individual and any dependent children with respect to whom the spouse or nonmarital coparent is a custodial parent. “Family" does not include any person who is receiving benefits under s. 49.027 (3) (b).

(2) Grants. A person contracting with the department under sub. (4) may make an employment skills advancement grant of up to $500 to an individual eligible under sub. (3) for tuition, books, transportation or other direct costs of training or education in a vocational training or education program.

(3) Eligibility. An individual is eligible for an employment skills advancement grant only if all of the following eligibility requirements are met:

(a) The training or education is approved by the person contracting with the department under sub. (4) as part of a career training or education plan that will lead to increased income.

(b) The individual is at least 18 years of age and is a custodial parent of a minor child.

(c) The individual has been determined eligible for aid under s. 49.19 or for a Wisconsin works employment position under s. 49.145 within 5 years before applying for a grant.

(d) The individual has been employed in an unsubsidized job for at least 9 consecutive months before applying for a grant.

(e) The individual is working an average of at least 40 hours per week, unless the employer and the person contracting with the department under sub. (4) agree that the person may work fewer hours.

(f) The assets of the individual's family do not exceed $2,500 in combined equity value, excluding the equity value of vehicles up to a total equity value of $10,000 and one home in which the family lives.

(g) The income of the individual's family does not exceed 165% of the poverty line.

(h) The individual has sought other forms of assistance, as required by the department by rule.

(i) The individual contributes an amount at least equal to the amount of the grant, and obtains funding from other sources in an amount at least equal to the amount of the grant, for tuition, books, transportation or other direct costs of the training or education.

(j) The amount of the grant plus the amount of any grant that that individual has previously received under this section does not exceed $500.

(4) Administration. The department may contract with any person to administer the program under this section. The department shall contract with one person to administer the program in each area of the state, as determined by the department.

(5) Applicability. This section applies beginning on the first day of the 6th month beginning after the date stated in the notice under s. 49.141 (2) (d).

289,99m Section 99m. 49.19 (4) (h) 1. b. of the statutes is amended to read:

49.19 (4) (h) 1. b. Except as provided under sub. (5) (a) 1m., when any person applies for or receives aid under this section, any right of the parent or any dependent child to support or maintenance from any other person, including any right to unpaid amounts accrued at the time of application and any right to amounts accruing during the time aid is paid under this section, is assigned to the state. If a minor who is a beneficiary of aid under this section is also the beneficiary of support under a judgment or order that includes support for one or more children not receiving aid under this section, any support payment made under the judgment or order is assigned to the state in the amount that is the proportionate share of the minor receiving aid under this section, except as otherwise ordered by the court on the motion of a party. Amounts assigned to the state under this subd. 1. b. remain assigned to the state until that amount of aid paid that represents the amount due as support or maintenance has been recovered. No amount of support that begins to accrue after aid under this section is discontinued for the recipient may be considered assigned to this state.

289,100 Section 100 . 49.19 (4e) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

49.19 (4e) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), if If a person applying for aid is under 18 years of age, has never married and is pregnant or has a dependent child in his or her care, the person is not eligible for aid unless he or she lives in a place maintained by his or her parent, legal guardian or other adult relative as the parent's, guardian's or other adult relative's own home or lives in a foster home, treatment foster home, maternity home or other supportive living arrangement supervised by an adult.

289,101 Section 101 . 49.19 (4e) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

49.19 (4e) (c) The department shall request a waiver from the secretary of the federal department of health and human services to require, without exception, that a person applying for aid who is under 18 years of age, has never married and is pregnant or has a dependent child in his or her care meet the requirements of par. (a). If a waiver is granted and in effect, par. (b) does not apply.

289,103d Section 103d. 49.19 (11) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 27, section 2865n, is renumbered 49.138, and 49.138 (1) (intro.), as renumbered, is amended to read:

49.138 (1) (intro.) The department shall implement a program of emergency assistance to needy persons in cases of fire, flood, natural disaster, homelessness or energy crisis. Eligibility shall not exceed the limitations for federal participation defined by applicable federal laws and regulations, including 45 CFR 233.120. The department shall establish the maximum amount of aid to be granted, except for cases of energy crisis, per family member based on the funding available under s. 20.445 (3) (dc) and (p). The department need not establish the maximum amount by rule under ch. 227. The department shall publish the maximum amount and annual changes to it in the Wisconsin administrative register. Emergency assistance provided to needy persons under this paragraph section in cases of homelessness may be used only to obtain a permanent living accommodation and, except as provided in sub. (2), may only be provided to a needy person once in a 36-month period. For the purposes of this paragraph section, a family is considered to be homeless if any of the following applies:

289,104 Section 104 . 49.19 (20) of the statutes is renumbered 49.19 (20) (a) and amended to read:

49.19 (20) (a) After December 31, 1998, Beginning on January 1, 1999, or beginning on the first day of the 6th month beginning after the date stated in the notice under s. 49.141 (2) (d), whichever is sooner, no person is eligible to receive benefits under this section and no aid may be granted under this section. No additional notice, other than the enactment of this subsection paragraph, is required to be given under sub. (13) to recipients of aid under this section to terminate their benefits under this subsection paragraph.

289,105 Section 105 . 49.19 (20) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

49.19 (20) (b) 1. The department shall request a waiver from the secretary of the federal department of health and human services to allow the application of subd. 2. Subdivision 2. does not apply unless a waiver under this subdivision is granted and in effect.