ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-sixth Legislature Second Regular Session

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HB 2502: SNAP; mandatory employment; training

Sponsor: Representative Biasiucci, LD 30

Committee on Health & Human Services

Overview

Requires the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) to require able-bodied adults who are under 60 years of age and receiving supplemental nutrition assistance to participate in a mandatory employment and training program unless the person meets the exempt criteria.

History

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides nutrition benefits to low-income individuals and families that are used at stores to purchase food. Individuals must apply in the state in which they currently live and meet certain requirements. DES receives and reviews applications of eligible recipients for SNAP benefits.

7 U.S.C. § 2015(d) outlines the conditions to participate in SNAP. Each state agency must implement an employment and training program designed by the state agency, in consultation with the state workforce development board or with private employers or employer organizations if the state can demonstrate that consultation with private employers or employer organizations would be more effective or efficient to be approved by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for the purpose of assisting members of households participating in SNAP to gain skills, training, work or experience that will increase the ability of the household members to obtain regular employment and meet state or local workforce needs.

Provisions

1. Instructs DES to require able-bodied adults who are under 60 years of age and are receiving SNAP to participate in the mandatory employment and training program, unless the recipient meets the exempt criteria. (Sec. 1)

2. Outlines the criteria that a SNAP recipient must meet in order to be exempted from the mandatory employment and training program:

a) be in compliance with the work registration requirements under Title IV of the Social Security Act or the Federal-State Unemployment Compensation System;

b) be a parent or other member of a household who is responsible for the care of an incapacitated person or a dependent child who is under the age of six;

c) be a bona fide student who is enrolled at least half time in any recognized school, training program or institution of higher education unless the recipient is ineligible to participate in the mandatory employment and training program;

d) be a regular participant in a drug addiction or an alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation program;

e) be employed a minimum of 30 hours per week or receiving weekly earnings that equal the minimum hourly rate under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, multiplied by 30 hours; or

f) be 16-18 years of age and not the head of a household, attend school or be enrolled in an employment training program on at least a half-time basis. (Sec. 1)

3. Asserts that a person who is noncompliant with the work registration requirements of Title IV of the Social Security Act or the Federal State Unemployment Compensation System is noncompliant with the work requirements. (Sec. 1)

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                        HB 2502

Initials AG/KT          Page 0 Health & Human Services

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