ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona works;
independent evaluation
(NOW: student
financial aid pilot program)
Expands exemptions from work requirements for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) recipients. Requires the Department of Economic Security (DES) to assist persons with dependent children to enroll in a college or university and obtain various benefits.
The goal of TANF is moving families from a cycle of dependence on public assistance to independence through employment. States may use TANF funds to achieve four specified purposes. They are: (1) to provides assistance to needy families; (2) to end dependence of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work and marriage; (3) to prevent and reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and (4) to encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.
Persons eligible for TANF may receive cash assistance for up to 24 months within any 60-month period. Recipients must participate in work or job preparation activities unless certain exemptions apply. Current exemptions are available for: a single parent or relative caring for an infant under 12 months of age; an unmarried custodial parent under the age of 18 who is caring for an infant under 12 weeks of age; a person who is disabled or is caring for a disabled dependent; a domestic violence victim if participation causes an immediate threat to safety; a dependent child; or an unmarried custodial parent attending college full time, to the extent that the State meets federal work participation rates.
The proposed legislation expands the work participation exemption to persons with dependent children who are assisted to enroll in a college or university by DES and to all custodial parents attending postsecondary school, to the extent the State meets federal work participation rates. The bill also requires DES to assist persons with dependent children to enroll in postsecondary school programs and to obtain various specified benefits.
The fiscal impact has not been determined.
1. Exempts from TANF work requirements a person assisted by DES to enroll in postsecondary education.
2. Expands the exemption from TANF work requirements for a person participating in higher education, to the extent the State meets federal work participation rates, from unmarried custodial parents to all custodial parents.
3. Requires DES to assist persons with dependent children to enroll in a college or a university that grants two-year or four-year degrees.
4. Requires DES to place persons in educational courses for 24 months and assist them in obtaining the following:
a) Federal financial aid.
b) Cash assistance.
c) Child care.
d) Transportation.
e) Medical services.
5. Prohibits DES from rejecting a program on the basis of its length.
6. Requires DES to encourage a person who graduates with a nursing degree to serve at least one year in a medically underserved area.
7. Requires a person assisted by DES to be eligible for TANF, have aptitude to successfully complete the program and seek a program that will improve the ability to be self-sufficient.
8. Permits a person to enroll in a nursing program or any other program from an accredited university, community college or other training center.
9. Requires a person, who DES assists to enroll, to carry at least 12 credits, maintain a “C” average or better and make satisfactory progress in the program.
10. Requires work participation of at least 20 hours per week if DES assists with enrollment and obtaining benefits for more than 24 months.
11. Allows DES to define work participation activities.
12. Requires DES to report progress in implementing this act and to make recommendations for legislative change to the Governor, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives by March 1, 2003.
13. Makes technical and conforming changes.
14. Provides for a general effective date.
HS 3/26/02 DPA/SE 10-0-0-0
3rd Read 4/08/02 49-1-10-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
April 15, 2002