SB29: Bill Text

LRB-1460/1

KSH:skg:jlb

1995 - 1996 LEGISLATURE

1995 Senate BILL 29

January 24, 1995 - Introduced by Senators Decker, Rosenzweig, Breske, Chvala, Wineke and Plewa, cosponsored by Representatives Huber, Robson, Kaufert, Springer, Ziegelbauer, Wilder, Bock, Hasenohrl and Murat. Referred to Committee on Health, Human Services and Aging.

SB29,1,4 An Act to amend 49.055 (2); and to create 20.435 (4) (ed) and 49.05 (3m) of the statutes; relating to: creating a work program for general relief recipients to assist in disaster relief efforts, granting rule-making authority and making an appropriation.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, a general relief agency may require an individual who is receiving general relief to participate in any work relief project authorized and sponsored by the general relief agency, as long as the individual is capable of performing the work. This bill establishes a new type of work program for general relief recipients to assist in disaster relief efforts. Under this program, if the governor proclaims a state of emergency for a natural disaster, general relief agencies in the areas covered by the state of emergency are required to administer a work program to assist in disaster relief efforts, if sufficient funding is available for the department of health and social services (DHSS) to reimburse the general relief agency for administrative expenses incurred in operating the program. To the extent that reimbursement is available under federal disaster relief programs, DHSS is required to seek reimbursement for the costs of operating this disaster relief work program from the federal government and to use these funds to operate the program.

A general relief agency may require a general relief recipient to participate in the disaster relief program unless the recipient is under 18 years of age, is over 60 years of age, has documentation that he or she is unable to work due to a physical or mental illness or disability, is needed in the home to provide child care for a dependent child or is determined by the general relief agency to be unable to perform employment. An exception is also made for general relief participants who are enrolled and in good standing in certain approved educational programs.

For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB29, s. 1 Section 1. 20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes: at the appropriate place, insert the following amounts for the purposes indicated: - See PDF for table

SB29, s. 2 Section 2. 20.435 (4) (ed) of the statutes is created to read:

SB29,2,6 20.435 (4) (ed) Disaster relief work program. As a continuing appropriation, the amounts in the schedule for funding a work relief program under s. 49.05 (3m) to assist in disaster relief efforts.

SB29, s. 3 Section 3. 49.05 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB29,3,7 49.05 (3m) If the governor proclaims a state of emergency for a natural disaster under s. 166.03 (1) (b) 1., the department shall require the general relief agencies in the areas covered by the state of emergency to administer a work relief program under this section to assist in disaster relief efforts, if sufficient funding is available for the department to reimburse general relief agencies for additional administrative expenses incurred in connection with a disaster relief work program under this subsection. The department shall promulgate rules establishing the minimum requirements of a disaster relief work program required under this subsection. To the extent costs incurred under this section are eligible for full or partial reimbursement from other state agencies or under 42 USC 5121 to 5201, the department shall seek reimbursement for these costs and shall use these funds to operate the disaster relief work program under this subsection. Except as provided in s. 49.055 (2), a general relief agency may require a general relief recipient to participate in a work relief program required under this subsection unless the person meets one of the following conditions:

SB29,3,8 (a) The person is under 18 years of age.

SB29,3,9 (b) The person is over 60 years of age.

SB29,3,14 (c) The person has medical or other appropriate documentation, such as a statement from a vocational counselor or mental health professional, that he or she is unable to work due to a physical or mental illness or disability, including problems related to substance abuse. A general relief agency may require the documentation required under this paragraph to be renewed upon request.

SB29,3,16 (d) The person is unable to perform employment, as determined by the general relief agency.

SB29,3,17 (e) The person is needed in the home to provide child care for a dependent child.

SB29, s. 4 Section 4. 49.055 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB29,3,24 49.055 (2) Eligibility for general relief under s. 49.05 (1g), (3m) and (8) shall not be affected for any otherwise eligible applicant for or recipient of general relief while the applicant or recipient is enrolled in and in good standing in any program under sub. (1) if, solely by reason of the enrollment and good standing, the applicant or recipient is unable to meet requirements of grant diversion or work relief rules established by the general relief agency.

SB29, s. 5 Section 5. Nonstatutory provisions; rule making.

SB29,4,4 (1)  The department of health and social services shall submit in proposed form the rules required under section 49.05 (3m) of the statutes, as created by this act, to the legislative council staff under section 227.15 (1) of the statutes no later than the first day of the 13th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection.

SB29, s. 6 Section 6. Effective date.

SB29,4,7 (1)  This act takes effect on the 2nd day after publication of the 1995-97 biennial budget act, or on the day after publication of this act, whichever is later.

SB29,4,8 (End)