AB591: Bill Text

AB591,37,17 49.143 Wisconsin works; agency contracts. (1) Awarding contracts. (a) The department may contract with any person to administer Wisconsin works in a geographical area determined by the department under sub. (6). The department may award a contract under this section on the basis of a competitive process approved by the secretary of administration, or, if the secretary of administration determines that it is in the best interest of the state to do so, on the basis of a noncompetitive process.

AB591,37,25 (b) If no acceptable provider in a geographical area is selected under par. (a), the department may administer Wisconsin works directly in that geographical area, or, for a period of up to 12 months succeeding the statewide implementation of Wisconsin works, may require the county or counties that comprise that geographical area to administer Wisconsin works. Notwithstanding s. 16.75 (1) and (2m), a county that is required under this paragraph to administer Wisconsin works may contract with any person without competitive bidding or competitive sealed proposals to administer Wisconsin works.

AB591,38,3 (2) Contract requirements. Each contract under sub. (1) shall contain performance-based incentives established by the department by rule. The contract shall require a Wisconsin works agency to do all of the following:

AB591,38,13 (a) Establish a community steering committee. The Wisconsin works agency shall recommend the members of the committee to the chief executive officer of each county served by the Wisconsin works agency. The chief executive officer of each county shall appoint the members of the committee. The number of members that each chief executive officer appoints to the committee shall be in proportion to the population of that officer's county relative to the population of each other county served by the Wisconsin works agency. The committee shall consist of at least 12 members, but not more than 15 members. The members of the committee shall appoint a chairperson who shall be a person who represents business interests. The committee shall do all of the following:

AB591,38,15 1. Advise the Wisconsin works agency concerning employment and training activities.

AB591,38,17 2. Identify and encourage employers to provide permanent jobs for persons who are eligible for trial jobs or community service jobs.

AB591,38,19 3. Create, and encourage others to create, subsidized jobs for persons who are eligible for trial jobs or community service jobs.

AB591,38,21 4. Create, and encourage others to create, on-the-job training sites for persons who are eligible for trial jobs or community service jobs.

AB591,38,23 5. Foster and guide the entrepreneurial efforts of participants who are eligible for trial jobs or community service jobs.

AB591,39,2 6. Provide mentors, both from its membership and from recruitment of members of the community, to provide job-related guidance, including assistance in resolving job-related issues and the provision of job leads or references, to persons who are eligible for trial jobs or community service jobs.

AB591,39,4 7. Coordinate with the governor's council on workforce excellence under s. 106.115 to ensure compatibility of purpose and no duplication of effort.

AB591,39,10 (b) Establish a children's services network. The children's services network shall provide information about community resources available to the dependent children in a Wisconsin works group, including charitable food and clothing centers; the state supplemental food program for women, infants and children under s. 253.06; and child care programs for individuals with incomes at or below 165% of the poverty line.

AB591,39,16 (c) Employ at least one financial and employment planner. The financial and employment planner shall work with a participant to facilitate the participant's achievement of the maximum degree of self-sufficiency. The department shall ensure that a financial and employment planner employed by a Wisconsin works agency meets certification and training requirements established by the department and that appropriate training is provided by a Wisconsin works agency.

AB591,39,21 (d) If the agency is not a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23 or tribal governing body, cooperate with the county department or tribal governing body to ensure that services delivered under Wisconsin works, the food stamp program and medical assistance are coordinated with the county or tribal governing body in a manner that most effectively serves the recipients of those services.

AB591,39,25 (e) Certify eligibility for and issue food coupons in conformity with 7 USC 2011 to 2029. The agency may subcontract certification of food coupon eligibility for individuals who do not participate in any component of the Wisconsin works program.

AB591,40,2 (f) Perform any other tasks specified by the department in the contract that department determines is necessary for the administration of Wisconsin works.

AB591,40,7 (3) Performance standards. The department shall promulgate a rule establishing performance standards for the administration of Wisconsin works. If a Wisconsin works agency does not meet the standards established under this subsection, the department may withhold any or all payment from the Wisconsin works agency.

AB591,40,9 (4) Audits. The department may require a Wisconsin works agency to submit to an independent annual audit paid for by the Wisconsin works agency.

AB591,40,16 (5) Requests for information. (a) In accordance with rules promulgated by the department, a Wisconsin works agency may request from any person any information that it determines appropriate and necessary for the administration of Wisconsin works. Any person in this state shall provide this information within 7 days after receiving a request under this paragraph. The Wisconsin works agency may disclose information obtained under this paragraph only in the administration of Wisconsin works.

AB591,40,21 (b) The department may request from any Wisconsin works agency any information that the department determines appropriate and necessary for the overall administration of Wisconsin works. A Wisconsin works agency shall provide the department with the requested information in the manner prescribed by the department by rule.

AB591,40,24 (c) The department may inspect at any time any Wisconsin works agency's records as the department determines is appropriate and necessary for the overall administration of Wisconsin works.

AB591,41,5 (6) Geographical areas. The department shall determine the geographical area for which a Wisconsin works agency will administer Wisconsin works. Except in counties with a population of 500,000 or more, no geographical area may be smaller than one county. A geographical area may include more than one county. The department need not establish the geographical areas by rule.

AB591, s. 70 Section 70. 49.145 of the statutes is created to read:

AB591,41,13 49.145 Wisconsin works; eligibility for employment positions. (1) General eligibility. In order to be eligible for Wisconsin works employment positions and job access loans for any month, an individual shall meet the eligibility requirements under subs. (2) and (3). The department may promulgate rules establishing additional eligibility criteria and specifying how eligibility criteria are to be administered. The department may promulgate rules establishing payment and reporting periods as needed to administer this subsection.

AB591,41,16 (2) Nonfinancial eligibility requirements. An individual is eligible for a Wisconsin works employment position and a job access loan in a month only if all of the following nonfinancial eligibility requirements are met:

AB591,41,17 (a) The individual is a custodial parent.

AB591,41,18 (b) The individual has attained the age of 18.

AB591,41,20 (c) The individual is a U.S. citizen or a qualifying alien, as defined by the department by rule.

AB591,41,24 (d) The individual has resided in this state for at least 60 consecutive days prior to applying under s. 49.141 (3) and has demonstrated an intent to continue to reside in this state. This paragraph does not apply to a migrant worker, unless the migrant worker is applying for a job access loan.

AB591,42,6 (f) The individual fully cooperates in efforts directed at establishing the paternity of the dependent child and obtaining support payments or any other payments or property to which that individual and the dependent child may have rights. Such cooperation shall be in accordance with federal law and regulations and rules promulgated by the department applicable to paternity establishment and collection of support payments.

AB591,42,10 (g) The individual furnishes the Wisconsin works agency with any relevant information that the Wisconsin works agency determines is necessary, consistent with rules promulgated by the department, within 7 working days after receiving a request for the information from the Wisconsin works agency.

AB591,42,14 (h) The individual has made a good faith effort, as determined by the Wisconsin works agency on a case-by-case basis, to obtain employment and has not refused any bona fide offer of employment within the 180 days immediately preceding application.

AB591,42,16 (i) The individual is not receiving supplemental security income under 42 USC 1381 to 1383c or state supplemental payments under s. 49.77.

AB591,42,17 (j) On the last day of the month, the individual is not participating in a strike.

AB591,42,19 (k) The individual applies for or provides a social security account number as required by the department.

AB591,42,21 (L) The individual satisfies other eligibility criteria established by the department.

AB591,42,23 (m) The individual reports any change in circumstances that may affect his or her eligibility to the Wisconsin works agency within 10 days after the change.

AB591,43,8 (n) Beginning on the date on which the individual has attained the age of 18, the total number of months in which the individual has participated in the job opportunities and basic skills program under s. 49.193 or has participated in a Wisconsin works employment position or both does not exceed 60 months. The months need not be consecutive. Participation in the job opportunities and basic skills program under s. 49.193 counts toward the 60-month limit beginning on the effective date of this paragraph .... [revisor inserts date]. A Wisconsin works agency may waive the requirements under this paragraph if the Wisconsin works agency determines, in accordance with rules promulgated by the department, that unusual circumstances exist that warrant an extension of the participation period.

AB591,43,12 (p) If the individual has applied for Wisconsin works within the 180 days immediately preceding the current application, the individual has cooperated with the efforts of a Wisconsin works agency to assist the individual in obtaining employment.

AB591,43,15 (q) No other individual in the Wisconsin works group is a participant in a Wisconsin works employment position. This paragraph does not apply to an individual applying for a job access loan.

AB591,43,18 (3) Financial eligibility requirements. An individual is eligible for a Wisconsin works employment position and a job access loan only if all of the following financial eligibility requirements are met:

AB591,43,23 (a) Resource limitations. The individual is a member of a Wisconsin works group whose assets do not exceed $2,500 in combined equity value. In determining the combined equity value of assets, the Wisconsin works agency shall exclude the equity value of automobiles up to a total equity value of $10,000, and one home that serves as the homestead for the Wisconsin works group.

AB591,44,2 (b) Income limitations. The individual is a member of a Wisconsin works group whose gross income is at or below 115% of the poverty line. In calculating gross income under this paragraph, the Wisconsin works agency shall include all of the following:

AB591,44,7 1. All earned and unearned income of the individual, except any amount received under section 32 of the internal revenue code, as defined in s. 71.01 (6), any amount received under s. 71.07 (9e), any payment made by an employer under section 3507 of the internal revenue code, as defined in s. 71.01 (6), and any assistance received under s. 49.148.

AB591,44,9 2. Child support payments received on behalf of a child who is a member of the Wisconsin works group.

AB591,44,14 3. The income of a nonmarital coparent or of the individual's spouse, if the spouse resides in the same home as the dependent child. If the spouse is the stepparent of the individual's dependent child, the income of the spouse does not include any amount of court-ordered support actually paid for anyone who does not reside in the home.

AB591,44,19 (4) Review of eligibility. A Wisconsin works agency shall periodically review an individual's eligibility. The individual remains eligible under sub. (3) until the Wisconsin works group's assets exceed the asset limits for at least 2 months or until the income of the Wisconsin works group is expected to exceed the income limits for at least 2 consecutive months.

AB591, s. 71 Section 71. 49.146 of the statutes is created to read:

AB591,44,25 49.146 Employer criteria. The department shall establish by rule criteria that an employer providing a Wisconsin works employment position must meet in order to employ a participant under s. 49.147 (3) to (5). An employer that does not meet the criteria established under this section is ineligible to receive any subsidy for any position provided to a participant.

AB591, s. 72 Section 72. 49.147 of the statutes is created to read:

AB591,45,5 49.147 Wisconsin works; work programs and job access loans. (1) General provisions. (a) Definition. In this section, "unsubsidized employment" means employment for which the Wisconsin works agency provides no wage subsidy to the employer.

AB591,45,9 (b) Required hours. The Wisconsin works agency shall determine the maximum number of hours a participant may be required to work in a community service job or transitional placement in accordance with criteria established by the department by rule, not to exceed 40 hours per week.

AB591,45,17 (2) Unsubsidized employment. (a) Job search, orientation and training activities. 1. An individual who applies for a Wisconsin works employment position may be required by the Wisconsin works agency to search for unsubsidized employment during the period that his or her application is being processed as a condition of eligibility. A participant in a Wisconsin works employment position shall search for unsubsidized employment throughout his or her participation. The department shall define by rule satisfactory search efforts for unsubsidized employment.

AB591,45,23 2. A Wisconsin works agency may require an applicant for a Wisconsin works employment position to participate in job orientation during the period that his or her application is being processed as a condition of eligibility. A Wisconsin works agency may require a participant in a Wisconsin works employment position to engage in training activities in accordance with rules promulgated by the department as part of the participant's participation requirements.

AB591,46,2 (b) Job search assistance. A Wisconsin works agency shall assist a participant in his or her search for unsubsidized employment. In determining an appropriate placement for a participant, a Wisconsin works agency shall give priority to placement in unsubsidized employment over placements under subs. (3) to (5).

AB591,46,8 (3) Trial jobs. (a) Administration. A Wisconsin works agency shall administer a trial job program as part of its administration of the Wisconsin works program. In determining an appropriate placement for a participant, a Wisconsin works agency shall give priority to placement under this subsection over placements under subs. (4) and (5). The Wisconsin works agency shall pay a wage subsidy, determined by the department by rule, to an employer that employs a participant under this subsection.

AB591,46,10 (b) Worker's compensation. The employer shall provide the participant with worker's compensation coverage.

AB591,46,21 (c) Time-limited participation. A participant under this subsection may participate in a trial job for a maximum of 6 months, with an opportunity for a 3-month extension under circumstances determined by the department. A participant may participate in more than one trial job, but may not exceed a total of 24 months of participation under this subsection. The months need not be consecutive. The department or, with the approval of the department, the Wisconsin works agency may grant an extension of the 24-month limit if the participant has made all appropriate efforts to find unsubsidized employment and has been unable to find unsubsidized employment because local labor market conditions preclude a reasonable job opportunity for that participant, as determined by a Wisconsin works agency and approved by the department.

AB591,47,10 (4) Community service job. (a) Administration. A Wisconsin works agency shall administer a community service job program as part of its administration of Wisconsin works to improve the employability of individuals who are not otherwise able to obtain employment, as determined by the Wisconsin works agency, by providing work experience and training to assist them to move promptly into unsubsidized public or private employment or a trial job. In determining an appropriate placement for a participant, a Wisconsin works agency shall give placement under this subsection priority over placements under sub. (5). Community service jobs shall be limited to projects that the department determines would serve a useful public purpose or projects the cost of which is partially or wholly offset by revenue generated from such projects. After each 6 months of an individual's participation under this subsection and at the conclusion of each assignment under this subsection, a Wisconsin works agency shall reassess the individual's employability.

AB591,47,24 (b) Time-limited participation. An individual may participate in a community service job for a maximum of 6 months, with an opportunity for a 3-month extension under circumstances approved by the department. An individual may participate in more than one community service job, but may not exceed a total of 24 months of participation under this subsection. The months need not be consecutive. The department or, with the approval of the department, the Wisconsin works agency may grant an extension to the 24-month limit if the Wisconsin works agency determines that the individual has made all appropriate efforts to find unsubsidized employment and has been unable to find unsubsidized employment because local labor market conditions preclude a reasonable employment opportunity in unsubsidized employment for that participant, as determined by a Wisconsin works agency and approved by the department, and if the Wisconsin works agency determines, and the department agrees, that no trial job opportunities are available in the specified local labor market.

AB591,48,4 (c) Worker's compensation. A participant under this subsection is an employe of the Wisconsin works agency for purposes of worker's compensation coverage, except to the extent that the person for whom the participant is performing work agrees to provide worker's compensation coverage.

AB591,48,8 (5) Transitional placement. (a) Additional eligibility criteria. An individual is eligible to participate in a transitional placement under this subsection if, in addition to meeting the eligibility requirements under s. 49.145, any of the following conditions is met with respect to the individual:

AB591,48,11 1. The Wisconsin works agency determines, on the basis of an independent assessment by the division of vocational rehabilitation or similar agency or business, that the individual has been incapacitated for a period of at least 60 days.

AB591,48,14 2. The Wisconsin works agency determines that the individual is needed in the home because of the illness or incapacity of another member of the Wisconsin works group.

AB591,48,16 3. The Wisconsin works agency determines that the individual is incapable of performing a trial job or community service job.

AB591,48,20 (b) Administration. 1. The Wisconsin works agency shall assign a participant under this subsection to work activities such as a sheltered workshop, a job similar to a community service job or a volunteer activity. A Wisconsin works agency may require a participant under this subsection to participate in any of the following:

AB591,48,22 a. An alcohol and other drug abuse evaluation, assessment and treatment program.

AB591,48,23 b. A training or education program, as defined by the department by rule.

AB591,48,24 c. Mental health activities, as defined by the department by rule.

AB591,48,25 d. Counseling or physical rehabilitation activities.

AB591,49,2 e. Other activities that the Wisconsin works agency determines are consistent with the capabilities of the individual.

AB591,49,6 2. An individual may participate in a transitional placement for a maximum of 24 months. The months need not be consecutive. This period may be extended on a case-by-case basis by the department or by the Wisconsin works agency with the approval of the department.

AB591,49,10 (c) Worker's compensation. A participant under this subsection is an employe of the Wisconsin works agency for purposes of worker's compensation coverage, except to the extent that the person for whom the participant is performing work agrees to provide worker's compensation coverage.

AB591,49,13 (6) Job access loan. (a) Additional eligibility criteria. An individual is eligible to receive a job access loan if, in addition to meeting the eligibility requirements under s. 49.145, all of the following conditions are met with respect to the individual:

AB591,49,16 1. The individual needs the loan to address an immediate and discrete financial crisis. The crisis may not be the result of the individual's failure to accept a bona fide offer of employment or the individual's termination of a job without good cause.

AB591,49,17 2. The individual needs the loan to obtain or continue employment.

AB591,49,19 3. The individual is not in default with respect to the repayment of any previous job access loan or repayment of any grant or wage overpayments under this section.

AB591,49,21 (b) Terms. The department shall promulgate rules establishing the terms of any job access loan, including all of the following:

AB591,49,22 1. The maximum and minimum loan amounts in any 12-month period.

AB591,49,23 2. The method of loan disbursement.

AB591,49,24 3. The terms of repayment.

AB591,49,25 4. The interest, if any, to be paid on the loan.

AB591,50,4 (c) Distribution and administration. From the appropriation under s. 20.445 (3) (dz), the department shall distribute funds for job access loans to a Wisconsin works agency, which shall administer the loans in accordance with rules promulgated by the department.

AB591,50,7 (d) Minor custodial parents. An individual who would be eligible for a job access loan under par. (a), except that the individual has not attained the age of 18, is eligible under this paragraph if the individual meets the following requirements:

AB591,50,9 1. The individual is in an out-of-home placement or independent living arrangement supervised by an adult, as defined by the department.

AB591,50,12 2. The individual has graduated from high school or has met the standards established by the secretary of education for the granting of a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation under s. 115.29 (4).

AB591,50,14 3. The individual will be 18 years old within 2 months after applying for the job access loan.

AB591, s. 73 Section 73. 49.148 of the statutes is created to read:

AB591,50,18 49.148 Wisconsin works; benefits for participants in employment positions. (1) Benefit levels. A participant in a Wisconsin works employment position shall receive the following benefits: