LRB-0192/P1
EHS:amn
2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE
DOA:......Rice, BB0008 - Domestic abuse definitions under Emergency Assistance program
For 2021-2023 Budget -- Not Ready For Introduction
An Act ...; relating to: the budget.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
health and human services
Wisconsin Works
Definition of “domestic abuse” in the emergency assistance program
Under current law, the Wisconsin Works (W-2) program provides, among other things, work experience and benefits for low-income custodial parents who are at least 18 years old. One benefit program under W-2 is the emergency assistance program, under which DCF provides emergency financial assistance to persons in need in cases of fire, flood, natural disaster, homelessness or impending homelessness, or energy crisis. Under that program, a family is considered to be homeless or facing impending homelessness if certain conditions apply, including if a member of the family was a victim of domestic abuse. Under the program, “domestic abuse” has the same definition as under the statute establishing arrest and prosecution procedures for domestic abuse incidents.
Also under current law, however, DCF is required under the W-2 program to promulgate rules for screening victims of domestic abuse, and those rules must specify the evidence that is sufficient to establish that an individual is or has been a victim of domestic abuse or is at risk of further domestic abuse.
This bill eliminates the definition of domestic abuse in the emergency assistance program. Instead, it provides that evidence that is sufficient under the W-2 domestic abuse screening program to establish that an individual is or has been a victim of domestic abuse is also sufficient for that purpose under the emergency assistance program.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section
1. 49.138 (1m) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
49.138 (1m) (c) A member of the family was a victim of domestic abuse, as defined in s. 968.075 (1) (a). Evidence specified under rules promulgated under s. 49.1473 (1) (a) as sufficient to establish that an individual is or has been a victim of domestic abuse is also sufficient for purposes of this paragraph.
(End)
