SECTION 1777. 49.132 (4) (am) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.132 (4) (am) A parent who is gainfully employed, or who is less than 20 years of age and is enrolled in an educational program, who is in need of child care services and who applies for aid on or after May 10, 1996, is eligible for aid under this section if the family income of the applicant is equal to or less than 165% of the poverty line. An applicant who is eligible under this paragraph and who began receiving aid under this section on or after May 10, 1996, continues to be eligible for aid under this section until the family income of the applicant is greater than 200% of the poverty line.
SECTION 1778. 49.132 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.132 (6) SUNSET. This section does not apply beginning on the first day of the 6th month beginning after the date specified in the notice under s. 49.141 (2) (d) October 1, 1997, or on the first day of the first month beginning after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date], whichever is later.
SECTION 1779. 49.134 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.134 (2) (a) From the allocation under s. 49.131 (2) (c) 2. 49.131 (2) (b) 1m., the department shall make grants to local agencies to fund child care resource and referral services provided by those local agencies. The department shall provide an allocation formula to determine the amount of a grant awarded under this section.
SECTION 1780. 49.134 (2) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:
49.134 (2) (a) From the allocation under s. 49.131 (2) (b) 1m. 49.155 (1g) (b), the department shall make grants to local agencies to fund child care resource and referral services provided by those local agencies. The department shall provide an allocation formula to determine the amount of a grant awarded under this section.
SECTION 1781. 49.136 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.136 (2) (a) From the allocation under s. 49.131 (2) (c) 1. 49.131 (2) (b) 1m., the department shall award grants for the start-up or expansion of child care services.
SECTION 1782. 49.136 (2) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:
49.136 (2) (a) From the allocation under s. 49.131 (2) (b) 1m. 49.155 (1g) (b), the department shall award grants for the start-up or expansion of child care services.
SECTION 1783. 49.137 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.137 (2) (a) From the allocation under s. 49.131 (2) (c) 4. 49.131 (2) (b) 1m., the department may award grants to child care providers that meet the quality of care standards established under s. 49.132 (4) (e) or 49.155 (6) 49.155 (1d) (b) to improve the retention of skilled and experienced child care staff. In awarding grants under this subsection, the department shall consider the applying child care provider's total enrollment of children and average enrollment of children who receive or are eligible for publicly funded care from the child care provider.
SECTION 1784. 49.137 (2) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:
49.137 (2) (a) From the allocation under s. 49.131 (2) (b) 1m. 49.155 (1g) (b), the department may award grants to child care providers that meet the quality of care standards established under s. 49.132 (4) (e) or 49.155 (6) 49.155 (1d) (b) to improve the retention of skilled and experienced child care staff. In awarding grants under this subsection, the department shall consider the applying child care provider's total enrollment of children and average enrollment of children who receive or are eligible for publicly funded care from the child care provider.
SECTION 1785. 49.137 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.137 (3) (a) From the allocation under s. 49.131 (2) (c) 3. 49.131 (2) (b) 1m., the department may award grants to child care providers for assistance in meeting the quality of care standards established under s. 49.132 (4) (e) 49.155 (1d) (b).
SECTION 1786. 49.137 (3) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:
49.137 (3) (a) From the allocation under s. 49.131 (2) (b) 1m. 49.155 (1g) (b), the department may award grants to child care providers for assistance in meeting the quality of care standards established under s. 49.132 (4) (e) 49.155 (1d) (b).
SECTION 1787. 49.137 (4) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.137 (4) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACTS. (intro.) From the allocation under s. 49.131 (2) (c) 4. 49.131 (2) (b) 1m., the department may contract with one or more agencies for the provision of training and technical assistance to improve the quality of child care provided in this state. The training and technical assistance activities contracted for under this subsection may include any of the following activities:
SECTION 1788. 49.137 (4) (intro.) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:
49.137 (4) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACTS. (intro.) From the allocation under s. 49.131 (2) (b) 1m. 49.155 (1g) (b), the department may contract with one or more agencies for the provision of training and technical assistance to improve the quality of child care provided in this state. The training and technical assistance activities contracted for under this subsection may include any of the following activities:
SECTION 1788m. 49.137 (4) (gm) of the statutes is created to read:
49.137 (4) (gm) Providing training to child care providers in providing child care for children with special needs and developing a network of child care providers who are qualified to provide child care for children with special needs.
SECTION 1789. 49.138 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 49.138 (1m), and 49.138 (1m) (intro.), as renumbered, is amended to read:
49.138 (1m) (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. 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) (md). 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 section in cases of fire, flood, natural disaster or energy crisis may only be provided to a needy person once in a 12-month period. Emergency assistance provided to needy persons under this 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 section, a family is considered to be homeless if any of the following applies:
SECTION 1790. 49.138 (1d) of the statutes is created to read:
49.138 (1d) In this section:
(a) "Administering agency" means the department or, if the department has contracted with a Wisconsin works agency under sub. (3), the Wisconsin works agency.
(b) "Needy person" has the meaning specified by the department by rule.
SECTION 1791. 49.138 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.138 (2) Emergency assistance provided to a person under sub. (1) (1m) (c) may be provided once in a 12-month period.
SECTION 1792. 49.138 (3) of the statutes is created to read:
49.138 (3) The department may contract with a Wisconsin works agency to administer this section.
SECTION 1793. 49.138 (4) of the statutes is created to read:
49.138 (4) (a) Any individual whose application for emergency assistance under this section is not acted upon with reasonable promptness after the filing of the application, as defined by the department by rule, or is denied in whole or in part, or who believes that the assistance amount was calculated incorrectly, may petition the administering agency for a review of such action. Review is unavailable if the action by the administering agency occurred more than 45 days prior to submission of the petition for review.
(b) Upon a timely petition under par. (a), the administering agency shall give the petitioner reasonable notice and opportunity for a review. The administering agency shall render its decision as soon as possible after the review and shall send by 1st class mail a certified copy of its decision to the petitioner. The administering agency shall deny a petition for a review or shall refuse to grant relief if the petitioner does any of the following:
1. Withdraws the petition in writing.
2. Abandons the petition. Abandonment occurs if the petitioner fails to appear in person or by representative at a scheduled review without good cause, as defined by the department by rule.
(c) If the administering agency is a Wisconsin works agency, the department may review the decision of the Wisconsin works agency if, within 14 days after the date on which the certified copy of the decision of the Wisconsin works agency is mailed, the applicant or participant petitions the department for a review of that decision.
SECTION 1794. 49.141 (1) (j) of the statutes is renumbered 49.141 (1) (j) (intro.) and amended to read:
49.141 (1) (j) (intro.) "Parent" means either a any of the following:
1. A biological parent, a.
2. A person who has consented to the artificial insemination of his wife under s. 891.40, or a.
3. A parent by adoption.
SECTION 1795. 49.141 (1) (j) 4. of the statutes is created to read:
49.141 (1) (j) 4. A man adjudged in a judicial proceeding to be the biological father of a child if the child is a nonmarital child who is not adopted or whose parents do not subsequently intermarry under s. 767.60.
SECTION 1796. 49.141 (1) (j) 5. of the statutes is created to read:
49.141 (1) (j) 5. A man who has signed and filed with the state registrar under s. 69.15 (3) (b) 3. a statement acknowledging paternity.
SECTION 1797. 49.141 (1) (p) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.141 (1) (p) "Wisconsin works" means the assistance program for families with dependent children, administered under ss. 49.141 to 49.161, except that "Wisconsin works" does not include the Wisconsin works health plan under s. 49.153, unless a waiver under s. 49.153 (1m) is granted and in effect or federal legislation that permits the application of s. 49.153 is enacted.
SECTION 1798. 49.141 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.141 (2) (a) If necessary, the department shall request a waiver from the secretaries of the federal department of health and human services, the federal department of agriculture and the federal social security administration or shall seek the passage of federal legislation to permit the department to conduct the Wisconsin works program in lieu of the aid to families with dependent children program under s. 49.19, the job opportunities and basic skills program under s. 49.193, the parental responsibility pilot program under s. 49.25 and the work-not-welfare program under s. 49.27 and as part of the food stamp program under 7 USC 2011 to 2029 and the medical assistance program under 42 USC 1396 to 1396u.
SECTION 1798m. 49.141 (2g) (a) 1. c. of the statutes is repealed.
SECTION 1799. 49.141 (7) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
49.141 (7) (c) Except as provided in par. (d), in addition to the penalties applicable under par. (a) or (b), a person shall be suspended from participating in Wisconsin works, except s. 49.153, for a period of 10 years, beginning on the date of conviction, if the person is convicted in a federal or state court for any of the following:
1. Violating sub. (6) (a) with respect to his or her identity or place of residence for the purpose of receiving simultaneously from this state and at least one other state assistance funded by a block grant under Title I of the Federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.
2. Fraudulently misstating or misrepresenting his or her identity or place of residence for the purpose of receiving simultaneously from this state and at least one other state benefits under the medical assistance program under 42 USC 1396 et seq.
3. Fraudulently misstating or misrepresenting his or her identity or place of residence for the purpose of receiving simultaneously in this state and at least one other state benefits under the federal food stamp program under 7 USC 2011 to 2029.
4. Fraudulently misstating or misrepresenting his or her identity or place of residence for the purpose of receiving simultaneously in this state and at least one other state benefits under the federal supplemental security income program under 42 USC 1381 to 1383d.
SECTION 1800. 49.141 (7) (d) of the statutes is created to read:
49.141 (7) (d) A person who has been suspended from participating in Wisconsin works under par. (c) and whom the president of the United States has pardoned with respect to the conduct for which the person had been suspended may have his or her eligibility to participate in Wisconsin works reinstated beginning on the first day of the first month beginning after the pardon.
SECTION 1801g. 49.143 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.143 (2) (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; subsidized and low-income housing; transportation subsidies; the state supplemental food program for women, infants and children under s. 253.06; and child care programs. In a county having a population of 500,000 or more, a children's services network shall, in addition, provide a forum for those persons who are interested in the delivery of child welfare services and other services to children and families in the geographical area under sub. (6) served by that children's services network to communicate with and make recommendations to the providers of those services in that geographical area with respect to the delivery of those services in that area.
SECTION 1801m. 49.143 (2) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.143 (2) (e) Certify To the extent permitted under federal law or waiver, certify eligibility for and issue food coupons to eligible Wisconsin works participants in conformity with 7 USC 2011 to 2029.
SECTION 1802. 49.145 (2) (i) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.145 (2) (i) The individual is not receiving supplemental security income under 42 USC 1381 to 1383c or state supplemental payments under s. 49.77 and, if the individual is a dependent child, the custodial parent of the individual does not receive a payment on behalf of the individual under s. 49.775.
SECTION 1803. 49.145 (2) (n) of the statutes is renumbered 49.145 (2) (n) 1. (intro.) and amended to read:
49.145 (2) (n) 1. (intro.) Beginning Except as provided in subd. 4., beginning on the date on which the individual has attained the age of 18, the total number of months in which the individual or any adult member of the individual's Wisconsin works group has actively participated in the job opportunities and basic skills program under s. 49.193 or has participated in a Wisconsin works employment position or both, or has received benefits under, any of the following or any combination of the following does not exceed 60 months. The months need not be consecutive. Participation in the, whether or not consecutive:
a. The job opportunities and basic skills program under s. 49.193. Active participation in the job opportunities and basic skills program begins to count toward the 60-month limit beginning on July October 1, 1996.
3. A Wisconsin works agency may extend the time limit under this paragraph only 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.
SECTION 1804. 49.145 (2) (n) 1. b. of the statutes is created to read:
49.145 (2) (n) 1. b. A Wisconsin works employment position.
SECTION 1805. 49.145 (2) (n) 1. c. of the statutes is created to read:
49.145 (2) (n) 1. c. Any program in this state or in any other state funded by a federal block grant for temporary assistance for needy families under title I of P.L. 104-193, if the individual received benefits under that program that were attributable to funds provided by the federal government.
SECTION 1806. 49.145 (2) (n) 2. of the statutes is created to read:
49.145 (2) (n) 2. Except as provided in subd. 4., in calculating the number of months in which the individual participated under subd. 1., the Wisconsin works agency shall include any month in which any adult member of a Wisconsin works group participated in a Wisconsin works employment position, if the individual was a member of that Wisconsin works group during that month.
SECTION 1807. 49.145 (2) (n) 4. of the statutes is created to read:
49.145 (2) (n) 4. In calculating the number of months under subds. 1. and 2., a Wisconsin works agency shall exclude, to the extent permitted under federal law, any month during which any adult in the Wisconsin works group participated in any activity listed under subd. 1. a. to c. while living on a federally recognized American Indian reservation, in an Alaskan Native village or, in Indian country, as defined in 18 USC 1151, occupied by an Indian tribe, if, during that month, all of the following applied:
a. At least 1,000 individuals were living on the reservation or in the village or Indian country.
b. At least 50% of the adults living on the reservation or in the village or Indian country were unemployed.
SECTION 1808. 49.145 (2) (r) of the statutes is created to read:
49.145 (2) (r) The individual is not a fugitive felon under 42 USC 608 (a) (9) (A) (i).
SECTION 1809. 49.145 (2) (rm) of the statutes is created to read:
49.145 (2) (rm) The individual is not violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under federal or state law.
SECTION 1810. 49.145 (2) (s) of the statutes is created to read: