H. B. 4051
(By Delegates Manuel and Doyle)
[Introduced January 21, 1998; referred to the
Committee on Government Organization then Finance.]
A BILL to amend and reenact section seven, article nine, chapter
nine of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred
thirty-one, as amended, relating to the West Virginia works
program; work requirements; and providing for enrollment in
a job search or job attainment program sponsored by the job
corps as a condition of eligibility.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That section seven, article nine, chapter nine of the code
of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as
amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 9. WEST VIRGINIA WORKS PROGRAM.
§9-9-7. Work requirements
.
Unless otherwise exempted by the provisions of section eight
of this article, the West Virginia works program shall require
that anyone who possesses a high school diploma, or its equivalent, or anyone who is of the age of twenty years or more,
to work or attend an educational or training program for a
minimum of twenty hours per week to receive any form of cash
assistance. In accordance with federal law or regulation, the
work, education and training requirements of this section are
waived for any qualifying participant with a child under six
years of age if the participant is unable to obtain appropriate
and available child care services. In order for any participant
to receive cash assistance, he or she shall enter into personal
responsibility contracts pursuant to the provisions of section
nine of this article.
As a condition of eligibility or continuing eligibility for
cash assistance, a nonexempt applicant or recipient who is not
employed for an average of at least twenty hours a week is
required to participate in a work-related activity, or, in the
alternative, the applicant or recipient may enroll in a job
search or job attainment program sponsored by the job corps,
operated for the employment and training administration, United
States department of labor.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide for continued
eligibility or a condition of eligibility in the West Virginia
Works Program by permitting a nonexempt applicant or recipient to
enroll in a job search or job attainment program sponsored by the
Job Corps.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken
from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.