Sec. Task Force on TANF (language only)

Item 291 #1h

Language
Page 207, line 8, before "The" insert "A".
Page 207, after line 14, insert:
"B. The Secretary shall convene a Task Force to amend the Commonwealth's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) state plan submitted to the Secretary of Health and Human Services in December 1996, pursuant to Title I, Section 402 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, and hold public hearings throughout the state for public input and comment.  The Task Force shall be composed of three public and private providers of services available under TANF and five other individuals appointed by the Secretary, five directors of local departments of social services nominated by the Virginia League of Social Services Executives, Inc., one individual nominated by the Virginia Association of Counties, one individual nominated by the Virginia Municipal League, one member of the State Board of Social Services, two members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and three members of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker.  The Task Force, along with its other responsibilities, shall examine and make recommendations on (i) eligibility criteria; (ii) benefit levels; (iii) programs and/or services to ensure a safety net for Virginia's vulnerable citizens; (iv) programs and/or services to aid welfare recipients in achieving self-sufficiency;  and (v) strategies for satisfying federal work participation rate requirements.  The Task Force shall report to the Commission on Federal Block Grant Programs before filing amendments to the TANF state plan with the federal Secretary of Health and Human Services.  No change in the current TANF state plan shall be made prior to the 1998 General Assembly without the approval of the Commission on Federal Block Grant Programs."

Explanation
(This amendment is self-explanatory.)