Senate Bill 1085 Summary

• Requires the department to include the "claim of good cause" form (DHS 2169) in assistance applications under the Social Welfare Act, placed before questions about paternity establishment or child support.

• Mandates inclusion of information explaining that applicants can request exemptions from child support cooperation requirements based on good cause, with the right to withdraw their application if the exemption is denied.

• Requires the department to send applicants a consent form within 30 days of denying a good cause exemption request; applicants must return the form within 30 days to proceed with or cancel assistance.

• Specifies that if an applicant withdraws their assistance application, the child support specialist shall not provide information to the county prosecutor for establishing paternity or obtaining child support.

• Changes terminology in the Family Independence Program from "JET program" to "PATH program" throughout the statute and replaces "substance abuse" with "substance use disorder."

• Takes effect 90 days after enactment only if Senate Bill 1086 of the 99th Legislature is also enacted.