49.131 (3m) Prior to implementing, and receiving funding for implementing, any program to deliver by electronic means Wisconsin Works benefits or child care subsidies under s. 49.155, the department shall submit a plan for implementation to the joint committee on finance. Any plan submitted by the department shall include specific information on the vendor selected, the total start-up and ongoing costs, and how issues of fraud and program integrity will be addressed. If the department submits a plan and the cochairpersons of the committee do not notify the department within 14 working days after the date that the department submits the plan that the committee has scheduled a meeting for the purpose of reviewing the plan, the plan may be implemented and the department shall receive the necessary funding. If, within 14 working days after the date that the department submits a plan, the cochairpersons notify the department that the committee has scheduled a meeting for the purpose of reviewing the plan, the plan may be implemented, and funding received, only upon approval of the committee.
20,953
Section
953. 49.137 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.137 (4) (a) Developing and recommending to the department a system of higher reimbursement payment rates or a program of grants for child care providers that meet the quality of care standards established under s. 49.132 (4) (e), 1995 stats.
20,954
Section
954. 49.141 (1) (n) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.141 (1) (n) "Trial employment match program job" means a work component of Wisconsin works Works administered under s. 49.147 (3).
20,955
Section
955. 49.143 (2) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.143 (2) (a) 2. Identify and encourage employers to provide permanent jobs for persons who are eligible for trial employment match program jobs or community service jobs.
20,956
Section
956. 49.143 (2) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.143 (2) (a) 3. Create, and encourage others to create, subsidized jobs for persons who are eligible for trial employment match program jobs or community service jobs.
20,957
Section
957. 49.143 (2) (a) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.143 (2) (a) 4. Create, and encourage others to create, on-the-job training sites for persons who are eligible for trial employment match program jobs or community service jobs.
20,958
Section
958. 49.143 (2) (a) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.143 (2) (a) 5. Foster and guide the entrepreneurial efforts of participants who are eligible for trial employment match program jobs or community service jobs.
20,959
Section
959. 49.143 (2) (a) 6. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.143 (2) (a) 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 employment match program jobs or community service jobs.
20,960
Section
960. 49.143 (2) (ct) of the statutes is repealed.
49.143 (2r) Job programs. A Wisconsin Works agency shall collaborate with the local workforce development board to connect individuals seeking employment with employment opportunities, including the trial job employment match program under s. 49.147 (3).
20,962
Section
962. 49.147 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.147 (1) Definition. In this section, "unsubsidized employment" means employment, including self-employment and entrepreneurial activities, for which the Wisconsin Works agency provides no wage subsidy to the employer including self-employment and entrepreneurial activities receives no wage subsidy.
20,963
Section
963. 49.147 (1m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.147 (1m) (b) If the Wisconsin Works agency determines that the appropriate placement for an individual is in unsubsidized employment or a trial employment match program job and that the individual needs and wishes to pursue basic education, including a course of study meeting the standards established under s. 115.29 (4) (a) for the granting of a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation, the Wisconsin Works agency shall pay for the basic education services identified in the employability plan developed for the individual.
20,964
Section
964. 49.147 (2) (am) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.147 (2) (am) 2. A Wisconsin Works agency shall, every 30 days, review the provision of case management services to an individual under this paragraph, if the individual is not successful in obtaining unsubsidized employment after legitimate efforts to secure employment, to determine whether the individual should be placed in a trial employment match program job, community service job, or transitional placement. The department shall promulgate rules that specify the criteria for the review process under this subdivision.
20,965
Section
965. 49.147 (3) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.147 (3) (title) Trial jobs employment match program.
20,966
Section
966. 49.147 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.147 (3) (a) Administration. A Wisconsin Works agency shall administer a trial job employment match program as part of its administration of the Wisconsin Works program to improve the employability of individuals who are not otherwise are not able to obtain unsubsidized employment, as determined by the Wisconsin Works agency, by providing work experience and training to assist them to move promptly into unsubsidized employment. 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).
(ac) Employer subsidies and reimbursements. The Wisconsin Works agency shall pay a wage subsidy to an employer that employs a participant under this subsection and that agrees to make a good faith effort to retain the participant as a permanent unsubsidized employee after the wage subsidy is terminated. The wage subsidy may not exceed $300 per month for full-time employment of a participant. For less than full-time employment of a participant during a month, the wage subsidy may not exceed a dollar amount determined by multiplying $300 by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of hours worked by the participant in the month and the denominator of which is the number of hours that would be required for full-time employment in that month. a wage subsidy in an amount that is negotiated between the Wisconsin Works agency and the employer but that is not less than the state or federal minimum wage that applies to the participant. The wage subsidy shall be paid for each hour that the participant actually works, up to a maximum of 40 hours per week. In addition to paying the wage subsidy, the Wisconsin Works agency may, as negotiated between the Wisconsin Works agency and the employer, reimburse the employer for all or a portion of other costs that are attributable to the employment of the participant, including any of the following:
20,967
Section
967. 49.147 (3) (ac) 1. of the statutes is created to read:
49.147 (3) (ac) 1. Federal social security and Medicare taxes.
20,968
Section
968. 49.147 (3) (ac) 2. of the statutes is created to read:
49.147 (3) (ac) 2. State and federal unemployment contributions or taxes.
20,969
Section
969. 49.147 (3) (ac) 3. of the statutes is created to read:
49.147 (3) (ac) 3. Worker's compensation insurance premiums.
20,970
Section
970. 49.147 (3) (am) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.147 (3) (am) Education or training activities. A trial employment match program job includes education and training activities, as prescribed by the employer as an integral part of work performed in the trial job employment match program employment.
20,971
Section
971. 49.147 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.147 (3) (c) Time-limited participation. A participant under this subsection may participate in a trial employment match program job for a maximum of 3 6 months, with an opportunity for a 3-month extension under circumstances determined by the Wisconsin Works agency. A participant may participate in more than one trial employment match program 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 on a case-by-case basis 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.
20,972
Section
972. 49.147 (3) (d) of the statutes is created to read:
49.147 (3) (d) Employer effort to retain, refer, or evaluate participant. An employer that employs a participant under this subsection and receives a wage subsidy shall agree to make a good faith effort to retain the participant as a permanent unsubsidized employee after the wage subsidy ends, although nothing in this subsection requires an employer to retain a participant as a permanent unsubsidized employee after the wage subsidy ends. An employer shall also agree that, if the employer does not retain a participant as a permanent unsubsidized employee, the employer will serve as an employment reference for the participant or provide to the Wisconsin Works agency a written performance evaluation of the participant, including recommendations for improvements.
20,973
Section
973. 49.147 (3) (e) of the statutes is created to read:
49.147 (3) (e) Noncustodial parents. Notwithstanding s. 49.145 (1) and (2) (a), an individual who would be eligible for a job under this subsection except that the individual is a noncustodial parent of a dependent child is eligible for placement under this subsection, subject to s. 49.159 (1) (b) 2., if the individual is eligible for services and benefits under s. 49.159 (1) (a).
20,974
Section
974. 49.147 (3m) of the statutes is repealed.
20,975
Section
975. 49.147 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.147 (4) (a) Administration. A Wisconsin works Works agency shall administer a community service job program as part of its administration of Wisconsin works Works to improve the employability of an individual who is not otherwise able to obtain employment, as determined by the Wisconsin works Works agency, by providing work experience and training, if necessary, to assist the individual to move promptly into unsubsidized public or private employment or a trial employment match program job. In determining an appropriate placement for a participant, a Wisconsin works 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 Works agency shall reassess the individual's employability.
20,976
Section
976. 49.147 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.147 (4) (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 on a case-by-case basis 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 employment match program job opportunities are available in the specified local labor market.
20,977
Section
977. 49.147 (4m) of the statutes is repealed.
20,978
Section
978. 49.147 (5) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.147 (5) (a) 3. The Wisconsin works
Works agency determines that the individual is incapable of performing a trial employment match program job or community service job.
20,979
Section
979. 49.147 (6) (b) 2. of the statutes is repealed.
20,980
Section
980. 49.147 (6) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.147 (6) (c) Distribution
Funding and administration. From the appropriation appropriations under s. 20.437 (2) (jL) and (md), the department shall distribute allocate funds for job access loans to a Wisconsin Works agency agencies, which shall administer the loans in accordance with rules promulgated by the department.
20,981
Section
981. 49.147 (6) (e) of the statutes is created to read:
49.147 (6) (e) Noncustodial parents. Notwithstanding s. 49.145 (1) and (2) (a), an individual who would be eligible for a job access loan under par. (a) except that the individual is a noncustodial parent of a dependent child is eligible to receive a job access loan under this subsection.
20,982
Section
982. 49.148 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.148 (1) (a) Trial employment match program jobs. For a participant in a trial employment match program job, the amount established in the contract between the Wisconsin works Works agency and the trial employment match program job employer, but not less than minimum wage for every hour actually worked in the trial employment match program job, not to exceed 40 hours per week paid by the employer. Hours spent participating in education and training activities under s. 49.147 (3) (am) shall be included in determining the number of hours actually worked.
20,983
Section
983. 49.148 (1) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.148 (1) (b) 1. Except as provided in subd. 1m., for a participant in a community service job under s. 49.147 (4), a monthly grant of $653, paid by the Wisconsin Works agency. For every hour that the participant misses work or education or training activities without good cause, the grant amount shall be reduced by $5. 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) is required to work fewer than 30 hours per week because the participant has unsubsidized employment, as defined in s. 49.147 (1), the grant amount under this paragraph shall equal the amount specified under subd. 1m. minus $5 for each hour that the participant misses work or education or training activities without good cause.
20,984
Section
984. 49.148 (1) (b) 1m. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.148 (1) (b) 1m. (intro.) Except as provided in subd. 1., the Wisconsin works agency department or an entity contracting with the department shall pay a participant in a community service job the following:
20,985
Section
985. 49.148 (1) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
49.148 (1) (b) 3. For a participant in a community service job who participates in technical college education under s. 49.147 (5m), a monthly grant of $653, paid by the Wisconsin Works agency. For every hour that the participant misses work or other required activities without good cause, the grant amount shall be reduced by $5. 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.
20,986
Section
986. 49.148 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.148 (1) (c) Transitional placements. For a participant in a transitional placement under s. 49.147 (5) or in a transitional placement and in technical college education under s. 49.147 (5m), a monthly grant of $608
, paid monthly by the Wisconsin Works agency. For every hour that the participant fails to participate in any required activity without good cause, including any activity under s. 49.147 (5) (b) 1. a. to d., the grant amount shall be reduced by $5. 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.
20,987
Section
987. 49.148 (1) (d) of the statutes is repealed.
20,988
Section
988. 49.155 (1g) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (1g) (c) Child care licensing activities, in the amount of at least $8,767,000 per fiscal year.
20,989
Section
989. 49.155 (1m) (a) 3r. of the statutes is created to read:
49.155 (1m) (a) 3r. Participate in the Transform Milwaukee Jobs program under s. 49.163.
20,990
Section
990. 49.155 (3) (c) of the statutes is repealed.
20,991
Section
991. 49.155 (3m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (3m) (a) The department shall issue benefits directly to individuals who are eligible for subsidies under this section or pay or reimburse child care providers or shall distribute funds to county departments under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23, county departments or agencies, or tribal governing bodies for child care services provided under this section and. The department may also contract with and provide grants to private nonprofit agencies that provide child care for children of migrant workers. The department may pay or reimburse a Wisconsin works Works agency for child care that the Wisconsin works Works agency provides to the children of Wisconsin works Works participants and applicants or that the Wisconsin Works agency arranges to meet immediate, short-term child care needs of participants prior to authorization of a subsidy under sub. (1m).
20,992
Section
992. 49.155 (3m) (c) of the statutes is repealed.
20,993
Section
993. 49.155 (4) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
49.155 (4) (c) 1. Notwithstanding par. (a) and subject to subd. 2., an eligible individual may receive a child care subsidy under this section for child care that is provided by an out-of-state provider of child care. Notwithstanding sub. (6), payments for child care services provided by an out-of-state provider under this subdivision shall be based on the maximum rate applicable in the county in which the eligible individual resides or on the out-of-state provider's actual rate, whichever is lower.
2. As a condition of payment under this section for child care services provided to a child of an individual who is eligible for a subsidy under this section, an out-of-state provider is subject to, and shall comply with, the provisions of this section, and rules promulgated under this section, that apply to a child care provider, as determined by the department.
20,994
Section
994. 49.155 (5) of the statutes is renumbered 49.155 (5) (a) and amended to read:
49.155 (5) (a) An individual receiving a subsidy under this section is liable for the percentage of
difference, if any, between the cost of the child care specified by the department in a printed copayment schedule. An provided by the child care provider or providers selected by the individual and the subsidy amount. The department shall specify minimum or estimated copayment amounts based on family size, income level, and other factors, a schedule of which will be available in electronic form on the department's Internet site and in paper form.
(b) An individual who is under the age of 20 and
is attending high school or participating in a course of study meeting the standards established under s. 115.29 (4) for the granting of a declaration of equivalency to high school graduation may not be determined liable for more than the minimum copayment amount for the type of child care received and the number of children receiving child care.
20,995
Section
995. 49.155 (6) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (6) (a) Subject to review and approval by the The department, each county shall establish the maximum reimbursement rate payment rates for licensed child care services provided under this section. A county The department shall set the rate
rates so that at least 75% of the number of places for children within the licensed capacity of all child care providers in that county can be purchased at or below that maximum rate by eligible individuals under this section.
20,996
Section
996. 49.155 (6) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (6) (b) Subject to review and approval by the The department, each county shall set a maximum reimbursement rate payment rates for Level I certified family child care providers for services provided to eligible individuals under this section. The maximum rate rates set under this paragraph may not exceed 75% of the rate
rates established under par. (a).
20,997
Section
997. 49.155 (6) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (6) (c) Subject to review and approval by the The department, each county shall set a maximum reimbursement rate payment rates for Level II certified family child care providers for services provided to eligible individuals under this section. The maximum rate rates set under this paragraph may not exceed 50% of the rate
rates established under par. (a).
20,998
Section
998. 49.155 (6) (cm) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.155 (6) (cm) The department shall modify child care provider reimbursement payment rates established under pars. (a) to (c) so that reimbursement payment rates are lower for providers of after-school child care.
