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GA SB389
Bill
Status
Engrossed
2/29/2016
Primary Sponsor
Hunter Hill
Click for details
AI Summary
- Establishes a graduated sanction system for program violations: 100% benefit reduction for 3 months (first violation), 6 months (second), 1 year (third), and permanent termination (fourth); TANF cash assistance sanctions start at a 25% reduction with a face-to-face meeting and 6-week compliance period before escalating to case closure
- Prohibits electronic benefit transfer card use for purchasing alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets, tattoos, bail, and entertainment tickets, and bans EBT transactions at liquor stores, casinos, massage parlors, nail salons, and other specified establishments; first offense results in a written warning and up to 3 months disqualification, second offense results in permanent termination
- Creates a cash diversion program beginning July 1, 2017, providing eligible TANF recipients lump sum grants for short-term needs (capped at 12 times the family size allowance), available once per 12-month period and up to 5 times in a lifetime, for qualifying circumstances such as job loss, catastrophic illness, or domestic violence
- Requires the department to contract for eligibility data verification services by January 1, 2017, conducting data matches using applicant information against public records, with annual joint reports to the Governor and legislative leaders on ineligibility determinations
- Adds a hardship and domestic violence exception to the 48-month lifetime TANF cash assistance maximum, provided that exempted families do not exceed 20% of the average monthly TANF caseload, and requires the Georgia Lottery Corporation to provide monthly reports of winners exceeding $1,000 to the Department of Human Services and Department of Agriculture
Legislative Description
Social Services; temporary assistance for needy families; provide for exception to lifetime maximum assistance
Last Action
House Withdrawn, Recommitted
3/22/2016
Full Bill Text
No bill text available