AB591: Bill Text

AB591,60,14 (3) Use of child care funds. (a) A Wisconsin works agency may provide child care services itself; purchase child care services from a child care provider; provide vouchers to an eligible parent for the payment of child care services provided by a child care provider; reimburse an eligible parent for payments made by the parent to a child care provider for child care services; adopt, with the approval of the department, any other arrangement that the Wisconsin works agency considers appropriate; or use any combination of these methods to provide child care.

AB591,60,18 (b) With the approval of the department, a Wisconsin works agency may spend moneys distributed under this section for start-up, improvement or expansion of child care services or facilities or for the recruitment, education or training of persons providing child care.

AB591,60,22 (4) Choice of provider. An eligible individual shall choose whether the child care will be provided by a day care provider licensed under s. 48.65, a day care provider certified under s. 48.651, or a provider of provisional certified family care, as defined by the department by rule.

AB591,61,2 (5) Liability for payment. An individual who receives aid under this section is liable for a portion of the cost of child care received, payable in accordance with a sliding scale formula established by the department that is based on the individual's ability to pay.

AB591,61,7 (6) Child care rates and quality standards. (a) The department shall establish the maximum rate that a Wisconsin works agency may pay for child care services provided under this section. The department shall set the rate at a reasonable and customary level that does not preclude eligible individuals from having a reasonable selection of child care providers.

AB591,61,16 (b) 1. The department shall promulgate rules to establish quality of care standards for child care providers that are higher than the quality of care standards required for licensure under s. 48.65 or for certification under s. 48.651. The standards established by rules promulgated under this subdivision shall consist of the standards provided for the accreditation of day care centers by the National Association for the Education of Young Children or any other comparable standards that the department may establish, including standards regarding the turnover of child care provider staff and the training and benefits provided for child care provider staff.

AB591,61,22 2. To the extent permitted under federal law, the department shall also promulgate rules to establish a system of rates or a program of grants that the department will pay to child care providers that meet the higher quality of care standards established by rules promulgated under subd. 1. If a system of rates is established by the rules promulgated under this subdivision, the rates under that system shall be higher than the rates established under par. (a).

AB591,62,2 (7) Refusal to pay child care providers. A Wisconsin works agency 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:

AB591,62,4 (a) The person has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that the Wisconsin works agency determines substantially relates to the care of children.

AB591,62,6 (b) The person is the subject of a pending criminal charge that the Wisconsin works agency determines substantially relates to the care of children.

AB591,62,8 (c) The person has been determined under s. 48.981 to have abused or neglected a child.

AB591, s. 79 Section 79. 49.157 of the statutes is created to read:

AB591,62,14 49.157 Wisconsin works; transportation assistance. (1) Eligibility. In accordance with rules promulgated by the department, a Wisconsin works agency shall determine the eligibility of an individual for financial assistance for transportation costs associated with transporting a child to and from a child care provider.

AB591,62,16 (2) Distribution of Funds. The department shall distribute the funds allocated under s. 49.181 (1) (h) for transportation assistance to Wisconsin works agencies.

AB591, s. 80 Section 80. 49.159 of the statutes is created to read:

AB591,62,24 49.159 Wisconsin works; noncustodial and minor and other custodial parents. (1) Noncustodial parents. 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. The Wisconsin works agency may provide job search assistance and case management designed to enable eligible noncustodial parents to obtain and retain employment.

AB591,63,8 (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.

AB591,63,12 (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.

AB591, s. 81 Section 81. 49.161 of the statutes is created to read:

AB591,63,17 49.161 Wisconsin works; overpayments. The department shall recover an overpayment of benefits paid under s. 49.148 from an individual who continues to receive benefits under s. 49.148 by reducing the amount of the individual's benefit payment by no more than 10%.

AB591, s. 82 Section 82. 49.181 of the statutes is created to read:

AB591,63,22 49.181 Public assistance and local assistance funding. (1) Funds distribution. Except as provided in sub. (2), within the limits of the appropriation under s. 20.435 (4) (dz), the department shall allocate the following amounts for the following purposes:

AB591,64,2 (a) Child care for recipients and former recipients of aid to families with dependent children. For child care services under s. 49.50 (6g) and for child care services and related transportation costs under s. 49.50 (6e) (a) or (b) and (6k) (b), the department shall allocate $4,713,000 in fiscal year 1995-96 and $5,687,400 in fiscal year 1996-97.

AB591,64,5 (b) Low-income and at-risk child care. For low-income and at-risk child care services under s. 46.98 (2m) to (4), the department shall allocate $21,404,100 in fiscal year 1995-96 and $21,504,800 in fiscal year 1996-97.

AB591,64,11 (c) Income maintenance payments to individuals. For income maintenance payments to individuals under s. 49.52 and for foster care and treatment foster care provided by nonlegally responsible relatives under state or county administered programs, if the relatives are licensed to operate foster homes or treatment foster homes under s. 48.62, the department shall allocate $141,277,600 in fiscal year 1995-96 and $132,968,700 in fiscal year 1996-97.

AB591,64,18 (d) Public assistance administration and medical assistance eligibility determination. For payment distribution under s. 49.52 (1) for county administration of public assistance benefits and medical assistance eligibility determination, for payments to American Indian tribes for administration of public assistance benefits, and for fraud investigation and error reduction under s. 49.197 (1m) and (4), the department shall allocate $28,189,100 in fiscal year 1995-96 and $28,864,400 in fiscal year 1996-97.

AB591,64,22 (e) Emergency assistance for families with needy children. For emergency assistance for families with needy children under s. 49.19 (11) (b), the department shall allocate $1,659,700 in fiscal year 1995-96 and $1,659,700 in fiscal year 1996-97.

AB591,65,3 (f) Learnfare; job opportunities and basic skills program; food stamp employment and training; parental responsibility pilot program. For the learnfare program under s. 49.50 (7), the job opportunities and basic skills program under s. 49.193, the food stamp employment and training project under s. 49.124 and the parental responsibility pilot program under s. 49.25, the department shall allocate $25,045,800 in fiscal year 1995-96 and $26,447,100 in fiscal year 1996-97.

AB591,65,6 (g) Learnfare case management. For case management for learnfare pupils under s. 46.62, the department shall allocate $1,289,300 in fiscal year 1995-96 and $1,309,500 in fiscal year 1996-97.

AB591,65,14 (h) Wisconsin works administration. For payments to Wisconsin works agencies under s. 49.52 (1) for administration of Wisconsin works benefits under ss. 49.141 to 49.151 and 49.155 to 49.161, for Wisconsin works health care coverage eligibility determination under s. 49.153 and for fraud investigation and error reduction under s. 49.197 (1m) and (4) and for payments to individuals under s. 49.148 for Wisconsin works employment positions and under ss. 49.155 and 49.157 for child care and related transportation services, the department shall allocate $0 for fiscal year 1996-97.

AB591,65,18 (2) Transfer of funds. With the approval of the secretary of administration, the department may use up to 30% of the amounts required to be allocated under any paragraph under sub. (1) for any other purpose described under sub. (1) (a) to (g) in each fiscal year.

AB591, s. 83 Section 83. 49.181 (1) (intro.), (a), (c), (d), (f) and (g) and (2) of the statutes, as created by 1995 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), are amended to read:

AB591,65,23 49.181 (1) Funds distribution. (intro.) Within the limits of the appropriation under s. 20.435 (4) (dz) 20.445 (3) (dz), the department shall allocate the following amounts for the following purposes:

AB591,66,3 (a) Child care for recipients and former recipients of aid to families with dependent children. For child care services under s. 49.50 (6g) 49.191 (2) and for child care services and related transportation costs under s. 49.50 (6e) 49.191 (1) (a) or (b) and (6k) (3) (b), the department shall allocate $4,713,000 in fiscal year 1995-96 and $5,687,400 in fiscal year 1996-97.

AB591,66,10 (c) Income maintenance payments to individuals. For income maintenance payments to individuals under s. 49.52 and 49.33, for foster care and treatment foster care provided by nonlegally responsible relatives under state or county administered programs, if the relatives are licensed to operate foster homes or treatment foster homes under s. 48.62 and for kinship care under s. 48.57 (3m), the department shall allocate $141,277,600 in fiscal year 1995-96 and $132,968,700 in fiscal year 1996-97.

AB591,66,17 (d) Public assistance administration and medical assistance eligibility determination. For payment distribution under s. 49.52 (1) 49.33 for county administration of public assistance benefits and medical assistance eligibility determination, for payments to American Indian tribes for administration of public assistance benefits, and for fraud investigation and error reduction under s. 49.197 (1m) and (4), the department shall allocate $28,189,100 in fiscal year 1995-96 and $28,864,400 in fiscal year 1996-97.

AB591,66,23 (f) Learnfare; job opportunities and basic skills program; food stamp employment and training; parental responsibility pilot program. For the learnfare program under s. 49.50 (7) 49.26 (1), the job opportunities and basic skills program under s. 49.193, the food stamp employment and training project under s. 49.124 and the parental responsibility pilot program under s. 49.25, the department shall allocate $25,045,800 in fiscal year 1995-96 and $26,447,100 in fiscal year 1996-97.

AB591,67,3 (g) Learnfare case management. For case management for learnfare pupils under s. 46.62 49.26 (2), the department shall allocate $1,289,300 in fiscal year 1995-96 and $1,309,500 in fiscal year 1996-97.

AB591,67,7 (2) Transfer of funds. With the approval of the secretary of administration, the department may use up to 30% of the amounts required to be allocated under any paragraph under sub. (1) for any other purpose described under sub. (1) (a) to (g) (h) in each fiscal year.

AB591, s. 84 Section 84. 49.19 (4e) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB591,67,15 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.

AB591, s. 85 Section 85. 49.19 (4e) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB591,67,21 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.

AB591, s. 86 Section 86. 49.19 (11) (a) 1. a. (intro.) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 12, is amended to read:

AB591,68,3 49.19 (11) (a) 1. a. (intro.) Except as provided in subs. (11m) and (11s), monthly payments made under s. 20.435 (4) (d) (dz) and (p) to persons or to families with dependent children shall be based on family size and shall be at 80% of the total of the allowances under subds. 2. and 4. plus the following standards of assistance beginning on September 1, 1987:

AB591, s. 87 Section 87. 49.19 (11) (a) 1. a. (intro.) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Acts 12, 27 and .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

AB591,68,10 49.19 (11) (a) 1. a. (intro.) Except as provided in subs. (11m) and (11s), monthly payments made under s. 20.445 (3) (dz) and (p) to persons or to families with dependent children shall be based on family size and shall be at 80% of the total of the allowances under subds. 2. and 4. plus the following standards of assistance beginning on September 1, 1987:

AB591, s. 88 Section 88. 49.19 (20) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB591,68,18 49.19 (20) 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, is required to be given under sub. (13) to recipients of aid under this section to terminate their benefits under this subsection.

AB591, s. 89 Section 89. 49.191 (1) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 27, sections 3089c, 3090 and 3092, is repealed and recreated to read:

AB591,69,4 49.191 (1) Child care funds for certain reciepients of aid to families with dependent children. Within the limits of funds available under ss. 20.435 (3) (jg) and 20.445 (3) (dz) and (na), the department shall provide funds for individuals who are working and who receive aid to families with dependent children to pay child care costs in excess of the amount of the child care disregard under s. 49.19 (5) (a) and child care costs incurred before the child care disregard under s. 49.19 (5) (a) becomes available if the child care is provided by a child care provider. This paragraph does not apply beginning on the first day of the 6th month beginning after the date stated in the notice under s. 49.141 (2) (d).

AB591, s. 90 Section 90. 49.191 (2) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 27, section 3093c, is amended to read:

AB591,69,20 49.191 (2) Child care funds for former recipients of aid to families with dependent children. The department shall pay the child care costs of an individual who secures unsubsidized employment and loses eligibility for aid to families with dependent children because of earned income or number of hours worked for up to 12 months following the loss of eligibility if the child care is provided by a child care provider. The department shall establish a formula for assistance based on ability to pay. The rates for child care services under this subsection shall be determined under s. 46.98 (4) (d), or, if a higher rate is established under s. 46.98 (4) (e) and if the child care services meet the quality standards established under s. 46.98 (4) (e), the rates for child care services under this subsection that meet those standards shall be determined under s. 46.98 (4) (e). The department shall promulgate rules for the disbursement of funds under this subsection. This subsection does not apply beginning on the first day of the 6th month beginning after the date stated in the notice under s. 49.141 (2) (d).

AB591, s. 91 Section 91. 49.191 (3) (a) and (b) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 27, are repealed and recreated to read:

AB591,70,3 49.191 (3) (a) County departments under ss. 46.215, 46.22 and 46.23 shall administer the funds appropriated for the purpose of providing child care under subs. (1) and (2) for recipients and former recipients of aid under s. 49.19 and under s. 49.26 (1) (e) for participants in the learnfare program. The department shall allocate funds to county departments under ss. 46.215, 46.22 and 46.23 for the purposes of this paragraph.

AB591,70,8 (b) Beginning on January 1, 1994, a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23 may, with the approval of the department, provide payment for, or reimbursement of, child care under sub. (1) or s. 49.193 (8) using funds allocated under par. (a). The department shall approve or disapprove this use of funds under criteria established to maximize state and federal funding available for child care.

AB591, s. 92 Section 92. 49.193 (2) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 12, is amended to read:

AB591,70,18 49.193 (2) (a) The Except as provided in par. (am), the department shall ensure that all persons required under 42 USC 602 (a) (19) and 42 USC 681 to 687 to participate in a job opportunities and basic skills training program participate in the program under this section. In addition, the department shall require a parent or other caretaker relative of a child who is at least one year of age to participate in the program under this section on a full-time basis, unless the parent or other caretaker relative is exempt from participation in the program for a reason other than being a parent or other caretaker of a child under 3 years of age.

AB591, s. 93 Section 93. 49.193 (2) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

AB591,70,23 49.193 (2) (am) 1. The department shall request a waiver from the secretary of the federal department of health and human services to permit the application of subd. 2. If a waiver is granted and in effect, the department shall implement subd. 2. no later than the first day of the 2nd month beginning after the waiver is approved.

AB591,71,3 2. If a waiver is granted and in effect, the department shall require a parent or other caretaker relative of a child who is at least 12 weeks of age to participate in the program under this section on a full-time basis, unless the parent or other caretaker relative is exempt from participation for a reason other than being a parent or other caretaker of a child under 3 years of age.

AB591, s. 94 Section 94. 49.193 (4) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB591,71,6 49.193 (4) (g) Work supplementation, as described in 45 CFR 250.62, in which participation is voluntary mandatory.

AB591, s. 95 Section 95. 49.193 (4) (j) 4. of the statutes is repealed.

AB591, s. 96 Section 96. 49.193 (4) (k) 1m. of the statutes is created to read:

AB591,71,10 49.193 (4) (k) 1m. Alcohol and other drug abuse prevention, assessment and treatment programs.

AB591, s. 97 Section 97. 49.193 (4m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB591,71,15 49.193 (4m) Alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and treatment program. The department may require participation in an alcohol and other drug abuse assessment, prevention and treatment program to fulfill employment and training requirements described in this section.

AB591, s. 98 Section 98. 49.193 (6) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB591,71,22 49.193 (6) (c) No Except as provided in par. (e), no person may be required to work more than 32 hours per week in a community work experience component. No person may be required to work more than 16 weeks in a component under this subsection during a 12-month period, except that a person who is eligible for aid under s. 49.19 (4) (dm) may be required to work for more than 16 weeks in a component under this subsection in order to comply with 45 CFR 250.33.

AB591, s. 99 Section 99. 49.193 (6) (e) of the statutes is created to read:

AB591,72,10 49.193 (6) (e) The department shall request a waiver from the secretary of the federal department of health and human services to allow the department to require a person to work not more than 40 hours per week in a community work experience component and not more than 6 months in a component under this subsection during a 12-month period instead of the number of hours and weeks under par. (c). If the waiver is granted and in effect, the department may require a person to work not more than 40 hours per week in a community work experience component. If a waiver is granted and in effect, the department may require a person to work not more than 6 months in a component under this subsection during a 12-month period, except that the department may require a person who is eligible for aid under s. 49.19 (4) (dm) to work for more than 6 months in a component under this subsection in order comply with 45 CFR 250.33.

AB591, s. 100 Section 100. 49.193 (7) of the statutes is repealed.

AB591, s. 101 Section 101. 49.193 (8) (bm) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB591,72,18 49.193 (8) (bm) Beginning on January 1, 1994, a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23 that receives funds to pay or reimburse child care costs under this subsection or under s. 49.50 (6e) (a) may, with the approval of the department, use those funds to pay or reimburse child care costs under s. 49.50 (6e) (b), (6g) or (7) (e). The department shall approve or disapprove of this use of funds under criteria established to maximize state and federal funding available for child care.

AB591, s. 102 Section 102. 49.193 (8) (bm) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Acts 27 and .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

AB591,73,2 49.193 (8) (bm) Beginning on January 1, 1994, a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23 that receives funds to pay or reimburse child care costs under this subsection may, with the approval of the department, use those funds to pay or reimburse child care costs under s. 49.191 (1) or (2) or 49.26 (1) (e). The department shall approve or disapprove of this use of funds under criteria established to maximize state and federal funding available for child care.

AB591, s. 103 Section 103. 49.193 (9m) (a) of the statutes, as created by 1995 Wisconsin Act 12, is renumbered 49.193 (9m) (am).

AB591, s. 104 Section 104. 49.193 (9m) (ag) of the statutes is created to read:

AB591,73,9 49.193 (9m) (ag) In this subsection, "participant" includes a case head, as defined by the department by rule, of an aid to families with dependent children case, even if the needs of the case head have been removed from the case as the result of a sanction.

AB591, s. 105 Section 105. 49.193 (10m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB591,73,20 49.193 (10m) Work-first program. The department shall select Kenosha county and additional counties in which to pilot the work-first program under this subsection. The work-first program shall be conducted as part of the job opportunities and basic skills program under this section and shall be funded from s. 20.435 (4) (df) (dz). The work-first program shall seek to increase the amount of job opportunities and basic skills program services provided to recipients of aid to families with dependent children and to minimize the time between the date on which a person in a pilot county first applies for aid to families with dependent children under s. 49.19 and the date on which the person begins to participate in the job opportunities and basic skills program under this section.

AB591, s. 106 Section 106. 49.193 (10m) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Acts 27 and .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

AB591,74,7 49.193 (10m) Work-first program. The department shall select Kenosha county and additional counties in which to pilot the work-first program under this subsection. The work-first program shall be conducted as part of the job opportunities and basic skills program under this section and shall be funded from s. 20.445 (3) (dz). The work-first program shall seek to increase the amount of job opportunities and basic skills program services provided to recipients of aid to families with dependent children and to minimize the time between the date on which a person in a pilot county first applies for aid to families with dependent children under s. 49.19 and the date on which the person begins to participate in the job opportunities and basic skills program under this section.

AB591, s. 107 Section 107. 49.193 (12) of the statutes is created to read:

AB591,74,14 49.193 (12) Sunset. 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 enactment of this subsection, is required to be given to recipients of aid under this section to terminate their benefits under this subsection.

AB591, s. 108 Section 108. 49.195 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB591,74,17 49.195 (title) Recovery of aid to families with dependent children and Wisconsin works benefits.

AB591, s. 109 Section 109. 49.195 (1) of the statutes is amended to read: