To amend the temporary assistance to needy families program under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to improve the provision of education and job training under that program, and for other purposes.

January 30, 2003

Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself, Mr. CORZINE, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. DODD, and Mr. REED) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

To amend the temporary assistance to needy families program under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to improve the provision of education and job training under that program, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Education Works Act of 2003'.

SEC. 2. COUNTING EDUCATION AND TRAINING AS WORK.

Section 407(d)(8) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 607(d)(8)) is amended to read as follows:

`(8) participation in vocational educational training, postsecondary education, an English-as-a-second-language program, or an adult basic education program;'.

SEC. 3. ELIMINATION OF LIMIT ON NUMBER OF TANF RECIPIENTS ENROLLED IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION OR HIGH SCHOOL WHO MAY BE COUNTED TOWARDS THE WORK PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT.

Section 407(c)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 607(c)(2)) is amended by striking subparagraph (D).

SEC. 4. NONAPPLICATION OF TIME LIMIT TO INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE CASH ASSISTANCE AND ARE ENGAGED IN EDUCATION OR EMPLOYMENT.

Section 408(a)(7) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)(7)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(H) LIMITATION ON MEANING OF `ASSISTANCE' FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS- For purposes of this paragraph, child care or transportation benefits provided during a month under the State program funded under this part to an individual who is participating in a full-time educational program or who is employed shall not be considered assistance under the State program.'.

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

(a) IN GENERAL- Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the amendments made by this Act shall take effect as if enacted on October 1, 2002, and shall apply to payments made under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act for calendar quarters beginning on or after such date, without regard to whether regulations to implement the amendments are promulgated by such date.

(b) DELAY PERMITTED IF STATE LEGISLATION REQUIRED- In the case of a State plan under section 402(a) of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this Act, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such section 402(a) solely on the basis of the failure of the plan to meet such additional requirements before the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter beginning after the close of the 1st regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.

END