49.136 (2) (b) The department shall attempt to award grants and low-interest loans under this section to head start agencies designated under 42 USC 9836, employers that provide or wish to provide child care services for their employes, family day care centers, group day care centers and, day care programs for the children of student parents, organizations that provide child care for sick children and child care providers that employ participants or former participants in a Wisconsin works employment position under s. 49.147 (3) to (5).
SECTION 1212. 49.136 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.136 (7) GRANT AND LOW-INTEREST LOAN ADMINISTRATION. (a) The department shall establish guidelines for eligibility for a grant or a low-interest loan under this section. The department need not promulgate those guidelines as rules under ch. 227.
(b) The department may administer the grant and low-interest loan application process processes under this section or contract for the administration of that process those processes.
SECTION 1213. 49.1375 of the statutes is created to read:
49.1375 Early childhood excellence initiative. (1) The department shall establish a grant program to develop at least 5 early childhood centers for children under the age of 5 who are eligible to receive temporary assistance to needy families under 42 USC 601 et seq. Centers awarded a grant under this subsection shall provide outreach and training for parents of the children served by the center and training for child care providers. The centers shall emphasize stimulation of the child's language skills and senses of vision and touch. A person who is awarded a grant under this subsection shall contribute matching funds from local or private sources equal to 25% of the amount awarded under this subsection.
(2) The department shall establish a grant program under which a child care provider that receives training at a center that is awarded a grant under sub. (1) may apply for a grant to establish an early childhood program that serves children specified under sub. (1). The program developed under a grant received under this subsection shall emphasize stimulation of the children's language skills and senses of vision and touch. A person who is awarded a grant under this subsection shall contribute matching funds from local or private sources equal to 25% of the amount awarded under this subsection.
SECTION 1214. 49.141 (2) of the statutes is repealed.
SECTION 1215. 49.141 (2g) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 49.141 (2g).
SECTION 1216. 49.141 (2g) (b) of the statutes is repealed.
SECTION 1217. 49.143 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.143 (1) (a) Except as provided in par. (am), the department may award a contract, on the basis of a competitive process approved by the secretary of administration, to any person to administer Wisconsin works in a geographical area determined by the department under sub. (6). The department shall award contracts under this paragraph before the date that is specified in s. 49.141 (2) (d).
SECTION 1218. 49.143 (1) (am) 1. of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
49.143 (1) (am) 1. The department shall contract with a Wisconsin works agency to administer Wisconsin works if that agency has met the performance standards established by the department during the immediately preceding contract period. The contract shall be for a term of at least 2 years. A Wisconsin works agency may elect not to enter into a contract under this subdivision if the Wisconsin works agency informs the department by the date established by the department that the Wisconsin works agency has made that election.
SECTION 1219. 49.143 (1) (am) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.143 (1) (am) 2. A county or tribal governing body Wisconsin works agency that has not met the aid to families with dependent children caseload performance standards established by the department may apply for a contract under the competitive process established under par. (a).
SECTION 1220. 49.143 (1) (at) of the statutes is repealed.
SECTION 1221. 49.143 (2) (cr) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.143 (2) (cr) Provide, or contract with another person to provide, budgeting and financial planning services, including credit establishment and credit repair assistance training to participants. Prior to providing, or contracting with another to provide, the assistance specified under this paragraph, the Wisconsin works agency shall submit a proposed plan for the provision of that assistance to the department. The secretary shall submit each proposed plan to the cochairpersons of the joint committee on finance. If, within 14 days after receiving the proposed plans, the cochairpersons do not notify the secretary that the joint committee on finance has scheduled a meeting for the purpose of reviewing the proposed plans, the department shall direct each Wisconsin works agency that submitted proposed plans to implement the plans. If, within 14 days, the co-chairs notify the secretary that they have scheduled a meeting for the purpose of reviewing the proposed plans, no Wisconsin works agency may implement its plan until the joint committee on finance approves the plan. Every January 31, the department shall submit to the joint committee on finance a report specifying the total amount expended in the previous year for the provision of credit establishment and credit repair assistance under this paragraph.
SECTION 1222. 49.143 (2) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.143 (2) (e) 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 as provided in ss. 46.215 (1g) and 46.22 (1g).
SECTION 1223. 49.143 (2) (em) of the statutes is renumbered 49.143 (2) (em) 1. and amended to read:
49.143 (2) (em) 1. Determine Except as provided in subd. 2., determine eligibility for child care assistance under s. 49.155 and refer eligible families to county departments under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23 for child care services.
SECTION 1224. 49.143 (2) (em) 2. of the statutes is created to read:
49.143 (2) (em) 2. If required under s. 49.155 (3) (a) or (am), certify child care providers under s. 48.651 and administer child care assistance under s. 49.155.
SECTION 1225. 49.145 (2) (n) 1. a. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.145 (2) (n) 1. a. The job opportunities and basic skills program under s. 49.193, 1997 stats. Active participation on or after October 1, 1996, in the job opportunities and basic skills program begins to count counts toward the 60-month limit beginning on October 1, 1996.
SECTION 1226. 49.145 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.145 (3) (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 vehicles up to a total equity value of $10,000, the value of an individual development account established under s. 49.187 and one home that serves as the homestead for the Wisconsin works group.
SECTION 1227. 49.145 (3) (b) 2. of the statutes is repealed.
SECTION 1228. 49.145 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.145 (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 or income of the Wisconsin works group is expected to exceed the asset or income limits limit under sub. (3) for at least 2 consecutive months.
SECTION 1229. 49.147 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:
49.147 (1m) EDUCATIONAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT. Upon determining that the appropriate placement for an individual is in unsubsidized employment or a trial job, the Wisconsin works agency shall conduct an educational needs assessment of the individual. If the Wisconsin works agency determines that the individual needs basic education, including a course of study meeting the standards established under s. 115.29 (4) for the granting of a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation, and if the individual wishes to pursue basic education, the Wisconsin works agency shall include basic education in an employability plan developed for the individual. The Wisconsin works agency shall pay for the basic education services identified in the employability plan.
SECTION 1230. 49.147 (4) (c) 1g. of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, is repealed and recreated to read:
49.147 (4) (c) 1g. 'Limited participation.' Not more than 2,500 participants statewide may participate under this paragraph at any given time. The department shall allocate the 2,500 slots among the Wisconsin works agencies based on a formula developed by the department.
SECTION 1231. 49.147 (4) (c) 2. of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, is amended to read:
49.147 (4) (c) 2. 'Eligibility.' A Wisconsin works agency may not place an individual under this paragraph unless the Wisconsin works agency determines that the individual is working at least 15 hours per week in an qualified for unsubsidized job employment but has been unable to secure full-time unsubsidized employment despite reasonable efforts on the part of the individual.
SECTION 1232. 49.147 (4) (c) 3. (intro.) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, is renumbered 49.147 (4) (c) 3. and amended to read:
49.147 (4) (c) 3. 'Work supplementation.' The Wisconsin works agency may require a participant under this paragraph to work in a community service job for not more than the lesser of the following in a community service job under this paragraph: 30 hours per week and to participate in job search activities for not more than 10 hours per week.
SECTION 1233. 49.147 (4) (c) 3. a. and b. of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, are repealed.
SECTION 1234. 49.147 (4) (c) 6. of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, is repealed.
SECTION 1235. 49.1475 of the statutes is created to read:
49.1475 Follow-up services. Following any follow-up period required by the contract entered into under s. 49.143, a Wisconsin works agency may provide case management services for an individual who moves from a Wisconsin works employment position to unsubsidized employment to help the individual retain the unsubsidized employment. Case management services may include the provision of employment skills training; English as a 2nd language classes, if the Wisconsin works agency determines that the course will facilitate the individual's efforts to retain employment; a course of study meeting the standards established under s. 115.29 (4) for the granting of a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation; or other remedial education courses. The Wisconsin works agency may provide case management services regardless of the individual's income and asset levels.
SECTION 1236. 49.148 (1) (b) 1. of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, is amended to read:
49.148 (1) (b) 1. For a participant in a community service job under s. 49.147 (4) (b), a monthly grant of $673 paid by the Wisconsin works agency or by the department under sub. (2). If a participant in a community service job under s. 49.147 (4) (b) is required to work fewer than 30 hours per week because the participant has unsubsidized employment, as defined in s. 49.147 (1) (c), the Wisconsin works agency may reduce the monthly grant in accordance with a schedule developed by the department by rule. For every hour that the participant misses work or education or training activities without good cause, the grant amount shall be reduced by $5.15. Good cause shall be determined by the financial and employment planner in accordance with rules promulgated by the department. Good cause shall include required court appearances for a victim of domestic abuse. If a participant in a community service job under s. 49.147 (4) (b) is required to work fewer than 30 hours per week because the participant has unsubsidized employment, as defined in s. 49.147 (1) (c), the grant amount under this paragraph may be reduced by an amount equal to the product of $5.15 and the difference between 30 and the number of hours the participant is required to work.
SECTION 1237. 49.148 (1) (b) 2. of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, is amended to read:
49.148 (1) (b) 2. For a participant in a community service job under s. 49.147 (4) (c), minimum wage for every hour actually worked in the community service job, not to exceed 15 30 hours per week, paid by the employer, as defined in s. 49.147 (4) (c) 1.
SECTION 1238. 49.151 (1) (f) of the statutes is created to read:
49.151 (1) (f) If the individual is a participant under s. 49.147 (4) (c), the individual fails, without good cause, to participate in job search activities required under s. 49.147 (4) (c) 3.
SECTION 1239. 49.155 (1) (ad) of the statutes is created to read:
49.155 (1) (ad) "Administering agency" means the county department, a tribal governing body or the Wisconsin works agency that is required by the department under sub. (3) (a) or (am) to administer child care assistance under this section.
SECTION 1240. 49.155 (1) (aj) of the statutes is created to read:
49.155 (1) (aj) "County department" means a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23.
SECTION 1241. 49.155 (1) (aL) of the statutes is created to read:
49.155 (1) (aL) "Disabled" means physically or mentally incapable of caring for oneself.
SECTION 1242. 49.155 (1) (am) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (1) (am) "Level I certified family day care provider" means a day care provider certified under s. 48.651 (1) (1m) (a).
SECTION 1243. 49.155 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (1) (b) "Level II certified family day care provider" means a day care provider certified under s. 48.651 (1) (1m) (b).
SECTION 1244. 49.155 (1g) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (1g) DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS. (intro.) Subject to sub. (1j) and s. 16.54 (2), the department shall, within the limits of the availability of the federal child care and development block grant funds received under 42 USC 9858, do all of the following:
SECTION 1245. 49.155 (1g) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (1g) (b) From the appropriation under s. 20.445 (3) (mc), distribute $4,315,000 $15,178,900 in fiscal year 1997-98 1999-2000 and $4,315,000 $12,878,900 in fiscal year 1998-99 2000-01 for the purposes of providing technical assistance for child care providers and of administering the child care program under this section and for grants under s. 49.136 (2) for the start-up and expansion of child day care services, and for child day care start-up and expansion planning, for grants and low-interest loans under s. 49.134 (2) for child day care resource and referral services, for grants under s. 49.137 (3) to assist child care providers in meeting the quality of care standards established under sub. (1d), and for a system of rates or a program of grants, as provided under sub. (1d), to reimburse child care providers that meet those quality of care standards and for grants under s. 49.137 (2) and contracts under s. 49.137 (4) to improve the quality of child day care services in this state.
SECTION 1246. 49.155 (1g) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (1g) (c) From the appropriation under s. 20.445 (3) (mc), transfer $1,687,400 $3,596,900 in fiscal year 1997-98 1999-2000 and $1,687,400 $3,745,200 in fiscal year 1998-99 2000-01 to the appropriation under s. 20.435 (6) (3) (kx), and transfer $20,700 in fiscal year 1999-2000 and $27,700 in fiscal year 2000-01 to the appropriation under s. 20.435 (8) (kx), for the purpose of day care center licensing under s. 48.65.
****NOTE: This is reconciled s. 49.155 (1g) (c). This SECTION has been affected by drafts with the following LRB numbers: LRB-0320/2 and LRB-0687/4.
SECTION 1247. 49.155 (1g) (d) of the statutes is created to read:
49.155 (1g) (d) From the appropriation under s. 20.445 (3) (mc), transfer $182,200 in each fiscal year to the appropriation under s. 20.435 (3) (kx) for the administration of day care programs for foster parents in a county having a population of 500,000 or more.
SECTION 1248. 49.155 (1m) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (1m) ELIGIBILITY. (intro.) 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 or, if the child is disabled, who has not attained the age of 19, if the individual meets all of the following conditions:
SECTION 1249. 49.155 (1m) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (1m) (a) (intro.) The individual is a parent of a child who is under the age of 13, or, if the child is disabled, is under the age of 19; or is a person who, under s. 48.57 (3m) or (3n), is providing care and maintenance for a child who is under the age of 13, or, if the child is disabled, is under the age of 19; and child care services for that child are needed in order for the individual to do any of the following:
SECTION 1250. 49.155 (1m) (a) 4. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (1m) (a) 4. (intro.) Participate in other employment skills training If the Wisconsin works agency determines that basic education would facilitate the individual's efforts to obtain or maintain employment, participate in basic education, 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; literacy tutoring; or a course of study meeting the standards established by the state superintendent of public instruction 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, if the Wisconsin works agency determines that the course would facilitate the individual's efforts to obtain or maintain employment; 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 two 2 years. An individual may not receive aid under this subdivision unless the individual meets at least one of the following conditions:
SECTION 1251. 49.155 (1m) (a) 4. a. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (1m) (a) 4. a. The individual has been is employed in unsubsidized employment for 9 consecutive months and continues to be so employed.
SECTION 1252. 49.155 (1m) (a) 5. of the statutes is created to read:
49.155 (1m) (a) 5. Participate in a course of study at a technical college, or participate in educational courses that provide an employment skill, as determined by the department, if the Wisconsin works agency determines that the course or courses would facilitate the individual's efforts to obtain or maintain employment. An individual may receive aid under this subdivision for up to 2 years. 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 3 consecutive months and continues to be so employed.
b. The individual is a participant in a Wisconsin works employment position.
SECTION 1253. 49.155 (1m) (b) 3. of the statutes is repealed.
SECTION 1254. 49.155 (1m) (c) 1. of the statutes is renumbered 49.155 (1m) (c) 1. (intro.) and amended to read:
49.155 (1m) (c) 1. (intro.) The gross income of the individual's family is at or below 165% 185% of the poverty line for a family the size of the individual's family or, for an individual who is already receiving a child care subsidy under this section, the gross income of the individual's family is at or below 200% 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 and 3., except that, in calculating farm and self-employment income, the Wisconsin works agency shall include the sum of the following:
****NOTE: This is reconciled s. 49.155 (1m) (c) 1. This SECTION has been affected by the following LRB numbers: LRB-0699/3 and LRB-0701/4.
SECTION 1255. 49.155 (1m) (c) 1. a. of the statutes is created to read:
49.155 (1m) (c) 1. a. Net earnings reported to the Internal Revenue Service.
SECTION 1256. 49.155 (1m) (c) 1. b. of the statutes is created to read:
49.155 (1m) (c) 1. b. Depreciation expenses, personal business and entertainment expenses, personal transportation costs, purchases of capitol equipment and payments on the principal of loans.
SECTION 1257. 49.155 (1m) (c) 1g. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (1m) (c) 1g. The individual is a foster parent of the child and the child's biological or adoptive family meets the asset limit under s. 49.145 (3) (a) and has a gross income that is at or below 200% of the poverty line. In calculating the gross income of the child's biological or adoptive family, the Wisconsin works agency shall include income described under s. 49.145 (3) (b) 1. to and 3.
****NOTE: This is reconciled s. 49.155 (1m) (c) 1g. This SECTION has been affected by the following LRB numbers: LRB-0699/3 and LRB-0701/4.
