CS/CS/HB 1299 Summary

• Revises work requirement penalties for temporary cash assistance (TANF) by reducing first noncompliance penalty from 10 days to 1 month, second noncompliance from 3 months to 1 month, and third noncompliance from 6 months to 3 months, with fourth noncompliance remaining 12 months.

• Allows child-only benefits to continue for children under age 16 during penalty periods (first 3 months for second noncompliance, first 3 months for third noncompliance, and first 12 months for fourth noncompliance) through a protective payee arrangement.

• Requires the Department of Economic Opportunity, CareerSource Florida, and Department of Children and Families to develop and implement written work plan agreements informing participants of expectations, sanctions, and penalties before receiving temporary cash assistance.

• Mandates the Department of Children and Families refer sanctioned participants to free and low-cost community services, including food banks.

• Imposes a replacement fee for electronic benefits transfer cards starting with the fifth replacement request within a 12-month period, with waiver available for good cause.

• Appropriates $879,680 in nonrecurring federal funds for fiscal year 2016-2017 to implement technology modifications for benefit disbursement changes.