85R11732 KKR-D     By: Perry S.B. No. 2124       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a pilot program for assisting certain recipients of   public benefits with gaining self-sufficiency.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 531.02241 to read as follows:          Sec. 531.02241.  PILOT PROGRAM FOR SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF   CERTAIN PERSONS RECEIVING TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES   BENEFITS OR OTHER SERVICES.  (a) The commission shall develop and   implement a pilot program for assisting an eligible participant   under this section with gaining self-sufficiency and no longer   requiring financial assistance, child care assistance, or other   public benefits.          (b)  A person is eligible to participate in the pilot program   established under this section if the person:                (1)  is a recipient of financial assistance benefits   under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, or child care assistance   under the child care management services program operated by the   Texas Workforce Commission;                (2)  has a total household income that is less than the   amount necessary for the recipient to be self-sufficient based on   the recipient's family's makeup and geographical area of residence;                (3)  is at least 18 but not more than 55 years of age;   and                (4)  is willing and able to be employed.          (c)  The program must be designed to assist eligible   participants in attaining self-sufficiency by:                (1)  identifying eligibility requirements for the   benefits or assistance described by Subsection (b)(1) that may be   waived for a limited period of time and that, if applied, would   impede self-sufficiency;                (2)  implementing strategies, including waiving the   eligibility requirements identified in Subdivision (1), to remove   barriers to self-sufficiency; and                (3)  moving eligible participants through progressive   stages toward self-sufficiency that include the following phases:                      (A)  an initial phase in which a participant moves   out of financial crisis by securing housing, medical care, and   financial assistance;                      (B)  a second phase in which the participant moves   toward stability by securing employment and child care and   participating in case management and financial education programs;                      (C)  a third phase in which the participant   transitions to self-sufficiency by securing employment that pays a   living wage, paying debt, and building savings; and                      (D)  a final phase in which the participant moves   out of poverty by amassing at least three months of savings and   eliminating debt so that the participant will no longer be   dependent on public assistance benefits.          (d)  The pilot program established under this section must   operate for at least 12 months but may include additional planning,   testing, and data-gathering periods.          (e)  The commission shall develop and implement the pilot   program established under this section with the assistance of the   Texas Workforce Commission, local workforce development boards,   the United States Department of Health and Human Services,   faith-based and other relevant public or private organizations, and   any other entity or person the commission determines appropriate.          (f)  On the conclusion of the pilot program but not later   than September 1, 2020, the commission shall report to the   legislature on the results of the pilot program. The report must   include:                (1)  an evaluation of the program's effect on eligible   participants in achieving self-sufficiency and no longer requiring   financial assistance, child care assistance, or other public   benefits;                (2)  the impact to this state on the costs of the   financial assistance program under Chapter 31, Human Resources   Code, and the child care management services program operated by   the Texas Workforce Commission; and                (3)  recommendations on the feasibility and   continuation of the pilot program.          (g)  The executive commissioner and the Texas Workforce   Commission may adopt rules to implement this section.          (h)  This section expires September 1, 2020.          SECTION 2.  If before implementing any provision of this Act   a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a   federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,   the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or   authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the   waiver or authorization is granted.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2017.