AB591-ASA1,42,624 (s) "Wisconsin works group" means an individual who is a custodial parent, all
25dependent children with respect to whom the individual is a custodial parent and all

1dependent children with respect to whom the individual's dependent child is a
2custodial parent. "Wisconsin works group" includes any nonmarital coparent or any
3spouse of the individual who resides in the same household as the individual and any
4dependent children with respect to whom the spouse or nonmarital coparent is a
5custodial parent. "Wisconsin works group" does not include any person who is
6receiving benefits under s. 49.027 (3) (b).
AB591-ASA1,42,16 7(2) Waivers; legislation. (a) If necessary, the department shall request a
8waiver from the secretaries of the federal department of health and human services,
9the federal department of agriculture and the federal social security administration
10or shall seek the passage of federal legislation to permit the department to conduct
11the Wisconsin works program in lieu of the aid to families with dependent children
12program under s. 49.19, the job opportunities and basic skills program under s.
1349.193, the parental responsibility pilot program under s. 49.25 and the
14work-not-welfare program under s. 49.27 and as part of the food stamp program
15under 7 USC 2011 to 2029 and the medical assistance program under 42 USC 1396
16to 1396u.
AB591-ASA1,42,2517 (b) If a waiver is granted and in effect or legislation is enacted, and if the
18department determines that sufficient funds are available, the department may
19begin to implement the Wisconsin works program no sooner than July 1, 1996, for
20selected counties or groups determined by the department and shall implement the
21Wisconsin works program statewide for all groups no later than September 1, 1997.
22If a waiver is not granted and in effect or federal legislation is not enacted before
23March 30, 1997, the department shall implement the Wisconsin works program
24statewide for all groups no later than 3 months after the necessary waiver has been
25granted or federal legislation has been enacted.
AB591-ASA1,43,4
1(d) Before implementing the Wisconsin works program, the department shall
2publish a notice in the Wisconsin Administrative Register that states the date on
3which the department will begin to implement the Wisconsin works program
4statewide.
AB591-ASA1,43,10 5(3) Applications. Any individual may apply for any component of Wisconsin
6works. Application for each component of Wisconsin works shall be made on a form
7prescribed by the department. The individual shall submit a completed application
8form to a Wisconsin works agency in the geographical area specified by the
9department under s. 49.143 (6) in which the individual lives and in the manner
10prescribed by the department.
AB591-ASA1,43,13 11(4) Nonentitlement. Notwithstanding fulfillment of the eligibility
12requirements for any component of Wisconsin works, an individual is not entitled to
13services or benefits under Wisconsin works.
AB591-ASA1,43,15 14(5) Nonsupplant. No Wisconsin works employment position may be operated
15so as to do any of the following:
AB591-ASA1,43,1716 (a) Displace any regular employe or reduce the wages or hours of work of any
17regular employe.
AB591-ASA1,43,1918 (b) Fill a position when any other person is on layoff from the same or a
19substantially equivalent job within the same organizational unit.
AB591-ASA1, s. 83 20Section 83. 49.143 of the statutes is created to read:
AB591-ASA1,44,2 2149.143 Wisconsin works; agency contracts. (1) Awarding contracts. (a)
22Except as provided in par. (am), the department may contract with any person to
23administer Wisconsin works in a geographical area determined by the department
24under sub. (6). The department may award a contract under this section on the basis
25of a competitive process approved by the secretary of administration, or, if the

1secretary of administration determines that it is in the best interest of the state to
2do so, on the basis of a noncompetitive process.
AB591-ASA1,44,73 (am) The department may contract with a county department under s. 46.215,
446.22 or 46.23 or with a tribal governing body to administer Wisconsin works in that
5county or on that tax-free land if the county department or tribal governing body has
6met the aid to families with dependent children caseload performance standards
7established by the department and has submitted an acceptable proposal.
AB591-ASA1,44,148 (b) If no acceptable provider in a geographical area is selected under par. (a) or
9(am), the department may administer Wisconsin works directly in that geographical
10area, or, for a period of up to 12 months succeeding the statewide implementation of
11Wisconsin works, may require the county or counties that comprise that
12geographical area to administer Wisconsin works. A county that is required under
13this paragraph to administer Wisconsin works may contract with any person without
14competitive bidding or competitive sealed proposals to administer Wisconsin works.
AB591-ASA1,44,17 15(2) Contract requirements. Each contract under sub. (1) shall contain
16performance-based incentives established by the department. The contract shall
17require a Wisconsin works agency to do all of the following:
AB591-ASA1,45,518 (a) Establish a community steering committee. The Wisconsin works agency
19shall recommend the members of the committee to the chief executive officer of each
20county served by the Wisconsin works agency. The chief executive officer of each
21county shall appoint the members of the committee. The number of members that
22each chief executive officer appoints to the committee shall be in proportion to the
23population of that officer's county relative to the population of each other county
24served by the Wisconsin works agency, except that the chief executive officer of a
25county that is not a Wisconsin works agency shall appoint the director of the county

1department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23, or his or her designee, and one other
2representative of the county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23. The
3committee shall consist of at least 12 members, but not more than 15 members. The
4members of the committee shall appoint a chairperson who shall be a person who
5represents business interests. The committee shall do all of the following:
AB591-ASA1,45,76 1. Advise the Wisconsin works agency concerning employment and training
7activities.
AB591-ASA1,45,98 2. Identify and encourage employers to provide permanent jobs for persons who
9are eligible for trial jobs or community service jobs.
AB591-ASA1,45,1110 3. Create, and encourage others to create, subsidized jobs for persons who are
11eligible for trial jobs or community service jobs.
AB591-ASA1,45,1312 4. Create, and encourage others to create, on-the-job training sites for persons
13who are eligible for trial jobs or community service jobs.
AB591-ASA1,45,1514 5. Foster and guide the entrepreneurial efforts of participants who are eligible
15for trial jobs or community service jobs.
AB591-ASA1,45,1916 6. Provide mentors, both from its membership and from recruitment of
17members of the community, to provide job-related guidance, including assistance in
18resolving job-related issues and the provision of job leads or references, to persons
19who are eligible for trial jobs or community service jobs.
AB591-ASA1,45,2120 7. Coordinate with the governor's council on workforce excellence under s.
21106.115 to ensure compatibility of purpose and no duplication of effort.
AB591-ASA1,45,2422 8. Work with participants, employers, child care providers and the community
23to identify child care needs, improve access to child care and expand availability of
24child care.
AB591-ASA1,46,6
1(b) Establish a children's services network. The children's services network
2shall provide information about community resources available to the dependent
3children in a Wisconsin works group, including charitable food and clothing centers;
4subsidized and low-income housing; transportation subsidies; the state
5supplemental food program for women, infants and children under s. 253.06; and
6child care programs.
AB591-ASA1,46,127 (c) Employ at least one financial and employment planner. The financial and
8employment planner shall work with a participant to facilitate the participant's
9achievement of the maximum degree of self-sufficiency. The department shall
10ensure that a financial and employment planner employed by a Wisconsin works
11agency meets certification and training requirements established by the department
12by rule and that appropriate training is provided by a Wisconsin works agency.
AB591-ASA1,46,1513 (cg) Employ staff, if necessary, to meet the needs of participants who are
14refugees and who have cultural or linguistic barriers to participation in Wisconsin
15works.
AB591-ASA1,46,2016 (cm) If a significant proportion of the population served by the Wisconsin works
17agency is comprised of a refugee group, employ staff that is proficient in the language
18of the refugee group to aid the financial and employment planner in locating
19appropriate employment opportunities that do not require English proficiency for
20participants who are members of that refugee group.
AB591-ASA1,47,221 (d) If the Wisconsin works agency is not a county department under s. 46.215,
2246.22 or 46.23 or tribal governing body, cooperate with the county department or
23tribal governing body to ensure that services delivered under Wisconsin works, the
24food stamp program and medical assistance are coordinated with the county or tribal

1governing body in a manner that most effectively serves the recipients of those
2services.
AB591-ASA1,47,73(e) Certify eligibility for and issue food coupons in conformity with 7 USC 2011
4to 2029. If the Wisconsin works agency is not a county department under s. 46.215,
546.22 or 46.23 or tribal governing body, the agency shall certify eligibility for and
6issue food coupons only if the county department or tribal governing body has elected
7not to certify eligibility for and issue food coupons.
AB591-ASA1,47,108 (em) Determine eligibility for child care assistance under s. 49.155 and refer
9eligible families to county departments under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23 for child care
10services.
AB591-ASA1,47,1211 (f) Perform any other tasks specified by the department in the contract that the
12department determines are necessary for the administration of Wisconsin works.
AB591-ASA1,47,16 13(3) Performance standards. The department shall establish performance
14standards for the administration of Wisconsin works. If a Wisconsin works agency
15does not meet the standards established under this subsection, the department may
16withhold any or all payment from the Wisconsin works agency.
AB591-ASA1,47,18 17(4) Audits. The department may require a Wisconsin works agency to submit
18to an independent annual audit paid for by the Wisconsin works agency.
AB591-ASA1,47,25 19(5) Requests for information. (a) In accordance with rules promulgated by
20the department, a Wisconsin works agency may request from any person any
21information that it determines appropriate and necessary for the administration of
22Wisconsin works. Any person in this state shall provide this information within 7
23days after receiving a request under this paragraph. The Wisconsin works agency
24may disclose information obtained under this paragraph only in the administration
25of Wisconsin works.
AB591-ASA1,48,5
1(b) The department may request from any Wisconsin works agency any
2information that the department determines appropriate and necessary for the
3overall administration of Wisconsin works. A Wisconsin works agency shall provide
4the department with the requested information in the manner prescribed by the
5department by rule.
AB591-ASA1,48,86 (c) The department may inspect at any time any Wisconsin works agency's
7records as the department determines is appropriate and necessary for the overall
8administration of Wisconsin works.
AB591-ASA1,48,14 9(6) Geographical areas. The department shall determine the geographical
10area for which a Wisconsin works agency will administer Wisconsin works. Except
11on tax-free lands and in counties with a population of 500,000 or more, no
12geographical area may be smaller than one county. A geographical area may include
13more than one county. The department need not establish the geographical areas by
14rule.
AB591-ASA1, s. 84 15Section 84. 49.145 of the statutes is created to read:
AB591-ASA1,48,22 1649.145 Wisconsin works; eligibility for employment positions. (1)
17General eligibility. In order to be eligible for Wisconsin works employment
18positions and job access loans for any month, an individual shall meet the eligibility
19requirements under subs. (2) and (3). The department may promulgate rules
20establishing additional eligibility criteria and specifying how eligibility criteria are
21to be administered. The department may promulgate rules establishing payment
22and reporting periods as needed to administer this subsection.
AB591-ASA1,48,25 23(2) Nonfinancial eligibility requirements. An individual is eligible for a
24Wisconsin works employment position and a job access loan in a month only if all of
25the following nonfinancial eligibility requirements are met:
AB591-ASA1,49,1
1(a) The individual is a custodial parent.
AB591-ASA1,49,22 (b) The individual has attained the age of 18.
AB591-ASA1,49,43 (c) The individual is a U.S. citizen or a qualifying alien, as defined by the
4department by rule.
AB591-ASA1,49,75 (d) The individual has resided in this state for at least 60 consecutive days prior
6to applying under s. 49.141 (3) and, unless the person is a migrant worker, has
7demonstrated an intent to continue to reside in this state.
AB591-ASA1,49,138 (f) The individual fully cooperates in efforts directed at establishing the
9paternity of the dependent child and obtaining support payments or any other
10payments or property to which that individual and the dependent child may have
11rights. Such cooperation shall be in accordance with federal law and regulations and
12rules promulgated by the department applicable to paternity establishment and
13collection of support payments.
AB591-ASA1,49,1714 (g) The individual furnishes the Wisconsin works agency with any relevant
15information that the Wisconsin works agency determines is necessary, consistent
16with rules promulgated by the department, within 7 working days after receiving a
17request for the information from the Wisconsin works agency.
AB591-ASA1,49,2118 (h) The individual has made a good faith effort, as determined by the Wisconsin
19works agency on a case-by-case basis, to obtain employment and has not refused any
20bona fide offer of employment within the 180 days immediately preceding
21application.
AB591-ASA1,49,2522 (hm) If the individual has applied for Wisconsin works within the 180 days
23immediately preceding the current application, the individual has cooperated with
24the efforts of a Wisconsin works agency to assist the individual in obtaining
25employment.
AB591-ASA1,50,2
1(i) The individual is not receiving supplemental security income under 42 USC
21381
to 1383c or state supplemental payments under s. 49.77.
AB591-ASA1,50,33 (j) On the last day of the month, the individual is not participating in a strike.
AB591-ASA1,50,54 (k) The individual applies for or provides a social security account number as
5required by the department.
AB591-ASA1,50,76 (L) The individual satisfies other eligibility criteria established by the
7department.
AB591-ASA1,50,98 (m) The individual reports any change in circumstances that may affect his or
9her eligibility to the Wisconsin works agency within 10 days after the change.
AB591-ASA1,50,1910 (n) Beginning on the date on which the individual has attained the age of 18,
11the total number of months in which the individual has actively participated in the
12job opportunities and basic skills program under s. 49.193 or has participated in a
13Wisconsin works employment position or both does not exceed 60 months. The
14months need not be consecutive. Participation in the job opportunities and basic
15skills program under s. 49.193 counts toward the 60-month limit beginning on the
16effective date of this paragraph .... [revisor inserts date]. A Wisconsin works agency
17may waive the requirements under this paragraph if the Wisconsin works agency
18determines, in accordance with rules promulgated by the department, that unusual
19circumstances exist that warrant an extension of the participation period.
AB591-ASA1,50,2220 (q) No other individual in the Wisconsin works group is a participant in a
21Wisconsin works employment position. This paragraph does not apply to an
22individual applying for a job access loan.
AB591-ASA1,50,25 23(3) Financial eligibility requirements. An individual is eligible for a
24Wisconsin works employment position and a job access loan only if all of the following
25financial eligibility requirements are met:
AB591-ASA1,51,5
1(a) Resource limitations. The individual is a member of a Wisconsin works
2group whose assets do not exceed $2,500 in combined equity value. In determining
3the combined equity value of assets, the Wisconsin works agency shall exclude the
4equity value of vehicles up to a total equity value of $10,000, and one home that
5serves as the homestead for the Wisconsin works group.
AB591-ASA1,51,96 (b) Income limitations. The individual is a member of a Wisconsin works group
7whose gross income is at or below 115% of the poverty line. In calculating gross
8income under this paragraph, the Wisconsin works agency shall include all of the
9following:
AB591-ASA1,51,1410 1. All earned and unearned income of the individual, except any amount
11received under section 32 of the internal revenue code, as defined in s. 71.01 (6), any
12amount received under s. 71.07 (9e), any payment made by an employer under
13section 3507 of the internal revenue code, as defined in s. 71.01 (6), and any
14assistance received under s. 49.148.
AB591-ASA1,51,1615 2. Child support payments received on behalf of a child who is a member of the
16Wisconsin works group.
AB591-ASA1,51,1817 3. The income of a nonmarital coparent or of the individual's spouse, if the
18spouse resides in the same home as the dependent child.
AB591-ASA1,51,23 19(4) Review of eligibility. A Wisconsin works agency shall periodically review
20an individual's eligibility. The individual remains eligible under sub. (3) until the
21Wisconsin works group's assets exceed the asset limits for at least 2 months or until
22the income of the Wisconsin works group is expected to exceed the income limits for
23at least 2 consecutive months.
AB591-ASA1, s. 85 24Section 85. 49.146 of the statutes is created to read:
AB591-ASA1,52,5
149.146 Employer criteria. The department shall establish by rule criteria
2that an employer providing a Wisconsin works employment position must meet in
3order to employ a participant under s. 49.147 (3) to (5). An employer that does not
4meet the criteria established under this section is ineligible to receive any subsidy
5for any position provided to a participant.
AB591-ASA1, s. 86 6Section 86. 49.147 of the statutes is created to read:
AB591-ASA1,52,10 749.147 Wisconsin works; work programs and job access loans. (1)
8General provisions. (a) Definition. In this section, "unsubsidized employment"
9means employment for which the Wisconsin works agency provides no wage subsidy
10to the employer including self-employment and entrepreneurial activities.
AB591-ASA1,52,1411 (b) Required hours. The Wisconsin works agency shall determine the
12maximum number of hours a participant may be required to work in a community
13service job or transitional placement in accordance with criteria established by the
14department by rule, not to exceed 40 hours per week.
AB591-ASA1,52,22 15(2) Unsubsidized employment. (a) Job search, orientation and training
16activities.
1. An individual who applies for a Wisconsin works employment position
17may be required by the Wisconsin works agency to search for unsubsidized
18employment during the period that his or her application is being processed as a
19condition of eligibility. A participant in a Wisconsin works employment position shall
20search for unsubsidized employment throughout his or her participation. The
21department shall define by rule satisfactory search efforts for unsubsidized
22employment.
AB591-ASA1,53,323 2. A Wisconsin works agency may require an applicant for a Wisconsin works
24employment position to participate in job orientation during the period that his or
25her application is being processed as a condition of eligibility. A Wisconsin works

1agency may require a participant in a Wisconsin works employment position to
2engage in training activities in accordance with rules promulgated by the
3department as part of the participant's participation requirements.
AB591-ASA1,53,74 (b) Job search assistance. A Wisconsin works agency shall assist a participant
5in his or her search for unsubsidized employment. In determining an appropriate
6placement for a participant, a Wisconsin works agency shall give priority to
7placement in unsubsidized employment over placements under subs. (3) to (5).
AB591-ASA1,53,13 8(3) Trial jobs. (a) Administration. A Wisconsin works agency shall administer
9a trial job program as part of its administration of the Wisconsin works program. In
10determining an appropriate placement for a participant, a Wisconsin works agency
11shall give priority to placement under this subsection over placements under subs.
12(4) and (5). The Wisconsin works agency shall pay a wage subsidy, determined by the
13department by rule, to an employer that employs a participant under this subsection.
AB591-ASA1,53,1514 (b) Worker's compensation. The employer shall provide the participant with
15worker's compensation coverage.
AB591-ASA1,54,216 (c) Time-limited participation. A participant under this subsection may
17participate in a trial job for a maximum of 6 months, with an opportunity for a
183-month extension under circumstances determined by the department. A
19participant may participate in more than one trial job, but may not exceed a total of
2024 months of participation under this subsection. The months need not be
21consecutive. The department or, with the approval of the department, the Wisconsin
22works agency may grant an extension of the 24-month limit on a case-by-case basis
23if the participant has made all appropriate efforts to find unsubsidized employment
24and has been unable to find unsubsidized employment because local labor market

1conditions preclude a reasonable job opportunity for that participant, as determined
2by a Wisconsin works agency and approved by the department.
AB591-ASA1,54,16 3(4) Community service job. (a) Administration. A Wisconsin works agency
4shall administer a community service job program as part of its administration of
5Wisconsin works to improve the employability of individuals who are not otherwise
6able to obtain employment, as determined by the Wisconsin works agency, by
7providing work experience and training to assist them to move promptly into
8unsubsidized public or private employment or a trial job. In determining an
9appropriate placement for a participant, a Wisconsin works agency shall give
10placement under this subsection priority over placements under sub. (5).
11Community service jobs shall be limited to projects that the department determines
12would serve a useful public purpose or projects the cost of which is partially or wholly
13offset by revenue generated from such projects. After each 6 months of an
14individual's participation under this subsection and at the conclusion of each
15assignment under this subsection, a Wisconsin works agency shall reassess the
16individual's employability.
AB591-ASA1,55,517 (b) Time-limited participation. An individual may participate in a community
18service job for a maximum of 6 months, with an opportunity for a 3-month extension
19under circumstances approved by the department. An individual may participate
20in more than one community service job, but may not exceed a total of 24 months of
21participation under this subsection. The months need not be consecutive. The
22department or, with the approval of the department, the Wisconsin works agency
23may grant an extension to the 24-month limit on a case-by-case basis if the
24Wisconsin works agency determines that the individual has made all appropriate
25efforts to find unsubsidized employment and has been unable to find unsubsidized

1employment because local labor market conditions preclude a reasonable
2employment opportunity in unsubsidized employment for that participant, as
3determined by a Wisconsin works agency and approved by the department, and if the
4Wisconsin works agency determines, and the department agrees, that no trial job
5opportunities are available in the specified local labor market.
AB591-ASA1,55,96 (c) Worker's compensation. A participant under this subsection is an employe
7of the Wisconsin works agency for purposes of worker's compensation coverage,
8except to the extent that the person for whom the participant is performing work
9agrees to provide worker's compensation coverage.
AB591-ASA1,55,13 10(5) Transitional placement. (a) Additional eligibility criteria. An individual
11is eligible to participate in a transitional placement under this subsection if, in
12addition to meeting the eligibility requirements under s. 49.145, any of the following
13conditions is met with respect to the individual:
AB591-ASA1,55,1714 1. The Wisconsin works agency determines, on the basis of an independent
15assessment by the division of vocational rehabilitation or similar agency or business,
16that the individual has been incapacitated, or will be incapacitated, for a period of
17at least 60 days.
AB591-ASA1,55,2018 2. The Wisconsin works agency determines that the individual is needed in the
19home because of the illness or incapacity of another member of the Wisconsin works
20group.
AB591-ASA1,55,2221 3. The Wisconsin works agency determines that the individual is incapable of
22performing a trial job or community service job.
AB591-ASA1,56,223 (b) Administration. 1. The Wisconsin works agency shall assign a participant
24under this subsection to work activities such as a community rehabilitation program,
25as defined by the department, a job similar to a community service job or a volunteer

1activity. A Wisconsin works agency may require a participant under this subsection
2to participate in any of the following:
AB591-ASA1,56,43 a. An alcohol and other drug abuse evaluation, assessment and treatment
4program.
AB591-ASA1,56,55 b. A training or education program, as defined by the department by rule.
AB591-ASA1,56,66 c. Mental health activities, as defined by the department by rule.
AB591-ASA1,56,77 d. Counseling or physical rehabilitation activities.
AB591-ASA1,56,98 e. Other activities that the Wisconsin works agency determines are consistent
9with the capabilities of the individual.
AB591-ASA1,56,1310 2. An individual may participate in a transitional placement for a maximum
11of 24 months. The months need not be consecutive. This period may be extended on
12a case-by-case basis by the department or by the Wisconsin works agency with the
13approval of the department.
AB591-ASA1,56,1714 (c) Worker's compensation. A participant under this subsection is an employe
15of the Wisconsin works agency for purposes of worker's compensation coverage,
16except to the extent that the person for whom the participant is performing work
17agrees to provide worker's compensation coverage.
AB591-ASA1,56,20 18(6) Job access loan. (a) Additional eligibility criteria. An individual is eligible
19to receive a job access loan if, in addition to meeting the eligibility requirements
20under s. 49.145, all of the following conditions are met with respect to the individual:
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