Sec. Task Force on Welfare Reform (language only)

Item 291 #1c

Language
Page 207, line 8, before "The" insert "A".
Page 207, after line 14, insert:
"B. The Secretary shall convene a Task Force to study the Virginia Independence Program (VIP) and the Virginia Initiative for Employment, Not Welfare (VIEW) program and make recommendations concerning whether any changes should be made to VIP/VIEW in response to changes in federal law or Virginia's experience in implementing and administering VIP/VIEW.  The Task Force shall include, but not be limited to, representatives from the Department of Social Services, the Virginia Municipal League, and the Virginia Association of Counties; local social services personnel to be selected by the Virginia League of Social Service Executives; and current welfare recipients.  The Task Force shall report the results of its study and its recommendations to the Governor; the Chairmen of the following committees:  House Appropriations, House Health, Welfare and Institutions, Senate Finance, and Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services; and the Chairman of the Commission on Federal Block Grant Programs by December 1, 1997.  The Task Force shall examine:  (i) eligibility criteria; (ii) benefit levels; (iii) benefit delivery systems; (iv) extension of benefits and alternatives to work, such as internships and non-paid work experience, for persons whose employability would be improved by full-time participation and successful completion of community college, college, or university training; (v) supportive services for VIP/VIEW participants and low wage workers, including former VIP/VIEW participants; (vi) services for populations with special needs such as victims of domestic violence; (vii) strategies for satisfying federal work participation rate requirements; (viii) hardship exceptions to time limits; (ix) status of families who have exhausted the time limits of eligibility for certain benefits and programs, particularly the impact of the loss of benefits on children; and (x) programs and services to aid individuals in achieving self-sufficiency while ensuring the protection of Virginia's most vulnerable citizens.  The Secretary shall inform the Chairmen of the following committees:  House Appropriations, House Health, Welfare and Institutions, Senate Finance, and Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services; and the Chairman of the Commission on Federal Block Grants at least 30 days prior to requesting any amendment to the VIP/VIEW waiver or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families State Plan."

Explanation
(This amendment is self-explanatory.)