SB676: Bill Text

SB676,34 Section 34. 39.435 of the statutes, as affected by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is repealed.

SB676,35 Section 35. 39.44 of the statutes is repealed.

SB676,36 Section 36. 39.45 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,15,19 39.45 (1) (a) "Institution of higher education" means a public or private nonprofit educational institution meeting the requirements of s. 39.30 , 2011 stats., or s. 39.435, 2011 stats., for the purpose of awarding grants under those sections.

SB676,37 Section 37. 39.45 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,15,22 39.45 (1) (b) "Resident student" has the meaning specified in s. 39.30 (1) (e), 2011 stats.

SB676,38 Section 38. 49.143 (4m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,16,3 49.143 (4m) Case monitoring audits. The department shall develop and implement a case monitoring audit process to ensure that Wisconsin Works agencies are adequately monitoring the activities of all participants.

SB676,39 Section 39. 49.147 (1m) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,16,5 49.147 (1m) (title) Educational needs Education and training assessment.

SB676,40 Section 40. 49.147 (1m) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 49.147 (1m) (a) 1. and amended to read:

SB676,16,19 49.147 (1m) (a) 1. A Wisconsin Works agency shall conduct an educational needs education and training assessment of each individual who applies for a Wisconsin Works employment position. If the individual and the Wisconsin Works agency determine that the individual needs, or would benefit from, education or training activities, 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 to better prepare the individual for employment, if the Wisconsin Works agency determines under subd. 2. that the individual would likely be successful in education or training activities, and if the Wisconsin Works agency determines that the individual is eligible for a Wisconsin Works employment position, the Wisconsin Works agency shall include education or training activities specified in subd. 3. in any employability plan developed for the individual.

SB676,41 Section 41. 49.147 (1m) (a) 2. of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,16,23 49.147 (1m) (a) 2. A Wisconsin Works agency shall determine whether an individual would likely be successful in education or training activities on the basis of the following factors:

SB676,16,24 a. Whether the individual has the ability to read and write.

SB676,16,25 b. Whether the individual is able to perform basic arithmetic functions.

SB676,17,1 c. Whether the individual is able to keep appointments on time.

SB676,17,2 d. Whether the individual has stable housing.

SB676,17,3 e. Whether the individual has ties to the local community.

SB676,17,4 f. Whether the individual has the support of his or her family.

SB676,17,5 g. The individual's general educational background.

SB676,42 Section 42. 49.147 (1m) (a) 3. of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,17,14 49.147 (1m) (a) 3. An individual may participate in education or training activities for a total of no more than 18 months, which need not be consecutive, and, if the individual is employed, only if his or her employer approves it. The department shall specify the maximum time during which an individual may receive classroom instruction as part of an individual's education or training activities. Education or training activities in which the individual may participate include any of the following determined appropriate for the individual by the Wisconsin Works agency and the individual's employer, if any:

SB676,17,16 a. 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.

SB676,17,18 b. Technical college courses and other educational courses that provide an employment skill.

SB676,17,19 c. Employer-sponsored training.

SB676,17,20 d. English as a 2nd language courses.

SB676,17,21 e. Adult basic education courses.

SB676,43 Section 43. 49.147 (4) (am) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,18,12 49.147 (4) (am) Education or training activities. A Subject to the requirements under s. 49.147 (1m) (a), a participant under this subsection may be required to participate in education and training activities assigned as part of an employability plan developed by the Wisconsin works Works agency. The department shall establish by rule permissible education and training under this paragraph, which shall include 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, technical college courses, employer-sponsored training, and educational courses that provide an employment skill. Permissible education under this paragraph shall also include English as a 2nd language courses that the Wisconsin works agency determines would facilitate an individual's efforts to obtain employment and adult basic education courses education and training activities in which a participant may be required to participate under this paragraph shall be those under s. 49.147 (1m) (a) 3. that the Wisconsin works Works agency determines would facilitate an the individual's efforts to obtain employment.

SB676,44 Section 44. 49.147 (4) (as) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,18,22 49.147 (4) (as) Required hours. Except as provided in pars. (at) and (av) and sub. (5m), a Wisconsin Works agency shall require a participant placed in a community service job program to work in a community service job for the number of hours determined by the Wisconsin Works agency to be appropriate for the participant at the time of application or review and may require a participant to participate in education or training activities for not more than 10 8 hours per week, except that the Wisconsin Works agency may not require a participant under this subsection to spend more than 40 hours per week in combined activities under this subsection.

SB676,45 Section 45. 49.147 (4) (av) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,19,6 49.147 (4) (av) Education for 18-year-old and 19-year-old students. A Notwithstanding the requirements under s. 49.147 (1m) (a), a Wisconsin Works agency shall permit a participant under this subsection who has not attained the age of 20 and who has not obtained a high school diploma or a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation to attend high school or, at the option of the participant, to enroll in 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 to satisfy, in whole or in part, the participation requirement under par. (as).

SB676,46 Section 46. 49.147 (5) (bm) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,19,22 49.147 (5) (bm) Education or and training activities. A Subject to the requirements under s. 49.147 (1m) (a), a participant under this subsection may be required to participate in education and training activities assigned as part of an employability plan developed by the Wisconsin works Works agency. The department shall establish by rule permissible education and training under this paragraph, which shall include 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, technical college courses, employer-sponsored training, and educational courses that provide an employment skill. Permissible education under this paragraph shall also include English as a 2nd language courses that the Wisconsin works agency determines would facilitate an individual's efforts to obtain employment and adult basic education courses education and training activities in which a participant may be required to participate under this paragraph shall be those under s. 49.147 (1m) (a) 3. that the Wisconsin works Works agency determines would facilitate an the individual's efforts to obtain employment.

SB676,47 Section 47. 49.147 (5) (bs) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,20,4 49.147 (5) (bs) Required hours. Except as provided in par. (bt) and sub. (5m), a Wisconsin Works agency may require a participant placed in a transitional placement to participate in education or training activities for not more than 12 10 hours per week and to engage in activities under par. (b) 1., but may not require a participant under this subsection to spend more than 40 hours per week in combined activities under this subsection.

SB676,48 Section 48. 49.147 (5m) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,20,10 49.147 (5m) (a) (intro.) To the extent permitted under 42 USC 607, and except as provided in par. (bL), notwithstanding the requirements under s. 49.147 (1m) (a), a participant under sub. (4) or (5) may participate in a technical college education program as part of a community service job placement or transitional placement if all of the following requirements are met:

SB676,49 Section 49. 49.147 (5m) (bL) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,20,15 49.147 (5m) (bL) A Notwithstanding the length of time specified in s. 49.147 (1m) (a) 3., a participant may participate under this subsection for the duration of the technical college education program, except that the participant may not participate under this subsection for more than 2 years.

SB676,50 Section 50. 49.148 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,20,19 49.148 (1) Benefit and wage levels for participants in employment positions. (intro.) A Subject to sub. (2), a participant in a Wisconsin Works employment position shall receive the following wages or benefits:

SB676,51 Section 51. 49.148 (1) (b) 1. of the statutes, as affected by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB676,21,8 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 $633. 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.

SB676,52 Section 52. 49.148 (1) (b) 1m. d. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,21,11 49.148 (1) (b) 1m. d. For a participant placed in a community service job for more than 20 hours per week, $653 $633.

SB676,53 Section 53. 49.148 (1) (b) 3. of the statutes, as affected by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB676,21,20 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 $633. 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.

SB676,54 Section 54. 49.148 (1) (c) of the statutes, as affected by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB676,22,5 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 $588. 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.

SB676,55 Section 55. 49.148 (1m) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,22,8 49.148 (1m) (a) (intro.) Any Subject to sub. (2), any of the following may receive a monthly grant of $673 $653:

SB676,56 Section 56. 49.148 (2) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,22,14 49.148 (2) Reduction in amount based on receipt of other benefits. (a) If a participant in a community service job or transitional placement or a participant under sub. (1m) receives any other public assistance benefits, the department shall reduce the amount of the grant paid to the participant under sub. (1) (b) or (c) or (1m) (a) by doing all of the following:

SB676,22,16 1. Calculating the monthly amount or value of the other public assistance benefits received by the participant.

SB676,22,21 2. Deducting the monthly amount or value calculated under subd. 1. from the participant's monthly grant amount specified under sub. (1) (b) or (c) or (1m) (a), whichever is applicable, except that the amount deducted under this subdivision from the monthly grant amount specified in sub. (1) (b) or (c) or (1m) (a), whichever is applicable, may not exceed that applicable monthly grant amount.

SB676,22,24 (b) The department shall promulgate rules that define "other public assistance benefits" and that specify how to calculate the monthly amount or value of those benefits for purposes of the reduction under this subsection.

SB676,57 Section 57. 49.148 (5) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,23,3 49.148 (5) Bonuses prohibited. The department or a Wisconsin Works agency may not pay a bonus or other monetary reward to a participant for remaining at a job for a particular length of time.

SB676,58 Section 58. 49.155 (1m) (c) 4. of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,23,7 49.155 (1m) (c) 4. a. If the individual is married, the gross income of the individual's family shall be reduced by $20,000 before gross income as a percentage of the poverty line is calculated under subd. 1., 1m., 2., or 3.

SB676,23,10 b. If the child's biological or adoptive parents are married, the gross income of the child's biological or adoptive family shall be reduced by $20,000 before gross income as a percentage of the poverty line is calculated under subd. 1g. or 1h.

SB676,59 Section 59. 49.155 (5) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB676,23,19 49.155 (5) (a) An individual receiving a subsidy under this section is liable for the difference, if any, between the cost of the child care provided by the child care provider or providers selected by the individual and the subsidy amount , except that the department shall require a minimum copayment of $2 per hour of child care per child. 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.

SB676,60 Section 60. 49.155 (6g) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,23,22 49.155 (6g) (a) 2. Except as provided in subd. 3., and subject to subd. 5., the department shall authorize no more than 12 hours of child care per day per child.

SB676,61 Section 61. 49.155 (6g) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,24,2 49.155 (6g) (a) 3. The Subject to subd. 5., the department may authorize more than 12 hours, not exceeding 16 hours, of child care per day for a child whose parent provides written documentation of work or transportation requirements that exceed 12 hours in a day.

SB676,62 Section 62. 49.155 (6g) (a) 5. of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,24,5 49.155 (6g) (a) 5. The department may not authorize more than 40 hours of child care per week for a child.

SB676,63 Section 63. 49.79 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,24,9 49.79 (1m) Financial eligibility. (a) A household of one or more individuals is not eligible to receive food stamp benefits under this section unless all of the following apply:

SB676,24,11 1. Subject to par. (b), the gross income of the household does not exceed 130 percent of the poverty line.

SB676,24,13 2. Subject to par. (b), the net income of the household does not exceed 100 percent of the poverty line.

SB676,24,15 3. Except as provided in subd. 4., the household does not have countable assets of more than $2,000 in value.

SB676,24,19 4. If the household includes an individual who is 60 years of age or older, an individual who is blind, as defined in s. 47.01 (1), or an individual who is disabled, as defined in s. 49.155 (1) (aL), the household does not have countable assets of more than $3,200 in value.

SB676,24,22 (b) If the household includes a married couple, the household's gross income and net income shall be reduced by $15,000 before the calculations are made under par. (a) 1. and 2.

SB676,64 Section 64. 49.79 (7c) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,25,3 49.79 (7c) No online applications. The department may not allow or accept online applications for benefits under this section. Any person who seeks benefits under this section must apply to the department or its designated agent in person.

SB676,65 Section 65. 49.79 (7h) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,25,7 49.79 (7h) Reduction in, and recoupment of, benefits. To the extent permitted under federal law, the department shall implement a system for distributing benefits under this section that does all of the following:

SB676,25,10 (a) Allows an individual who is an applicant or recipient to elect to receive food stamp benefits in an amount that is less than the amount for which the individual or the individual's household is eligible.

SB676,25,13 (b) Recoups after the end of each month benefits received for that month that were not used in that month. The department shall use the amount of unused benefits recouped under this paragraph to provide benefits under this section.

SB676,66 Section 66. 49.79 (11) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,25,18 49.79 (11) Discounts prohibited. No supplier, as defined in s. 49.795 (1) (d), may offer or provide a discount on the cost of food or other items that may be purchased with food stamp benefits by reason of the use of food stamp benefits to purchase the food or other items.

SB676,67 Section 67. 49.823 of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,25,20 49.823 Determination of income and assets. (1) In this section: