WELFARE REFORM LAW - H.R. 3734 INTRODUCTION AND TABLE OF CONTENTS FILE h3734.enr --H.R.3734-- H.R.3734 One Hundred Fourth Congress of the United States of America AT THE SECOND SESSION Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday, the third day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-six An Act To provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 201(a)(1) of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 1997. [Italic->] Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, [<-Italic] SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the `Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996'. SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS. The table of contents for this Act is as follows: TITLE I--BLOCK GRANTS FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES Sec. 101. Findings. Sec. 102. Reference to Social Security Act. Sec. 103. Block grants to States. Sec. 104. Services provided by charitable, religious, or private organizations. Sec. 105. Census data on grandparents as primary caregivers for their grandchildren. Sec. 106. Report on data processing. Sec. 107. Study on alternative outcomes measures. Sec. 108. Conforming amendments to the Social Security Act. Sec. 109. Conforming amendments to the Food Stamp Act of 1977 and related provisions. Sec. 110. Conforming amendments to other laws. Sec. 111. Development of prototype of counterfeit-resistant Social Security card required. Sec. 112. Modifications to the job opportunities for certain low-income individuals program. Sec. 113. Secretarial submission of legislative proposal for technical and conforming amendments. Sec. 114. Assuring medicaid coverage for low-income families. Sec. 115. Denial of assistance and benefits for certain drug-related convictions. Sec. 116. Effective date; transition rule. TITLE II--SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME Sec. 200. Reference to Social Security Act. SUBTITLE A--ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS Sec. 201. Denial of SSI benefits for 10 years to individuals found to have fraudulently misrepresented residence in order to obtain benefits simultaneously in 2 or more States. Sec. 202. Denial of SSI benefits for fugitive felons and probation and parole violators. Sec. 203. Treatment of prisoners. Sec. 204. Effective date of application for benefits. SUBTITLE B--BENEFITS FOR DISABLED CHILDREN Sec. 211. Definition and eligibility rules. Sec. 212. Eligibility redeterminations and continuing disability reviews. Sec. 213. Additional accountability requirements. Sec. 214. Reduction in cash benefits payable to institutionalized individuals whose medical costs are covered by private insurance. Sec. 215. Regulations. SUBTITLE C--ADDITIONAL ENFORCEMENT PROVISION Sec. 221. Installment payment of large past-due supplemental security income benefits. Sec. 222. Regulations. SUBTITLE D--STUDIES REGARDING SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM Sec. 231. Annual report on the supplemental security income program. Sec. 232. Study by General Accounting Office. TITLE III--CHILD SUPPORT Sec. 300. Reference to Social Security Act. SUBTITLE A--ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES; DISTRIBUTION OF PAYMENTS Sec. 301. State obligation to provide child support enforcement services. Sec. 302. Distribution of child support collections. Sec. 303. Privacy safeguards. Sec. 304. Rights to notification of hearings. SUBTITLE B--LOCATE AND CASE TRACKING Sec. 311. State case registry. Sec. 312. Collection and disbursement of support payments. Sec. 313. State directory of new hires. Sec. 314. Amendments concerning income withholding. Sec. 315. Locator information from interstate networks. Sec. 316. Expansion of the Federal Parent Locator Service. Sec. 317. Collection and use of Social Security numbers for use in child support enforcement. SUBTITLE C--STREAMLINING AND UNIFORMITY OF PROCEDURES Sec. 321. Adoption of uniform State laws. Sec. 322. Improvements to full faith and credit for child support orders. Sec. 323. Administrative enforcement in interstate cases. Sec. 324. Use of forms in interstate enforcement. Sec. 325. State laws providing expedited procedures. SUBTITLE D--PATERNITY ESTABLISHMENT Sec. 331. State laws concerning paternity establishment. Sec. 332. Outreach for voluntary paternity establishment. Sec. 333. Cooperation by applicants for and recipients of part A assistance. SUBTITLE E--PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND FUNDING Sec. 341. Performance-based incentives and penalties. Sec. 342. Federal and State reviews and audits. Sec. 343. Required reporting procedures. Sec. 344. Automated data processing requirements. Sec. 345. Technical assistance. Sec. 346. Reports and data collection by the Secretary. SUBTITLE F--ESTABLISHMENT AND MODIFICATION OF SUPPORT ORDERS Sec. 351. Simplified process for review and adjustment of child support orders. Sec. 352. Furnishing consumer reports for certain purposes relating to child support. Sec. 353. Nonliability for financial institutions providing financial records to State child support enforcement agencies in child support cases. SUBTITLE G--ENFORCEMENT OF SUPPORT ORDERS Sec. 361. Internal Revenue Service collection of arrearages. Sec. 362. Authority to collect support from Federal employees. Sec. 363. Enforcement of child support obligations of members of the Armed Forces. Sec. 364. Voiding of fraudulent transfers. Sec. 365. Work requirement for persons owing past-due child support. Sec. 366. Definition of support order. Sec. 367. Reporting arrearages to credit bureaus. Sec. 368. Liens. Sec. 369. State law authorizing suspension of licenses. Sec. 370. Denial of passports for nonpayment of child support. Sec. 371. International support enforcement. Sec. 372. Financial institution data matches. Sec. 373. Enforcement of orders against paternal or maternal grandparents in cases of minor parents. Sec. 374. Nondischargeability in bankruptcy of certain debts for the support of a child. Sec. 375. Child support enforcement for Indian tribes. SUBTITLE H--MEDICAL SUPPORT Sec. 381. Correction to ERISA definition of medical child support order. Sec. 382. Enforcement of orders for health care coverage. SUBTITLE I--ENHANCING RESPONSIBILITY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR NON-RESIDENTIAL PARENTS Sec. 391. Grants to States for access and visitation programs. SUBTITLE J--EFFECTIVE DATES AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS Sec. 395. Effective dates and conforming amendments. TITLE IV--RESTRICTING WELFARE AND PUBLIC BENEFITS FOR ALIENS Sec. 400. Statements of national policy concerning welfare and immigration. SUBTITLE A--ELIGIBILITY FOR FEDERAL BENEFITS Sec. 401. Aliens who are not qualified aliens ineligible for Federal public benefits. Sec. 402. Limited eligibility of qualified aliens for certain Federal programs. Sec. 403. Five-year limited eligibility of qualified aliens for Federal means-tested public benefit. Sec. 404. Notification and information reporting. SUBTITLE B--ELIGIBILITY FOR STATE AND LOCAL PUBLIC BENEFITS PROGRAMS Sec. 411. Aliens who are not qualified aliens or nonimmigrants ineligible for State and local public benefits. Sec. 412. State authority to limit eligibility of qualified aliens for State public benefits. SUBTITLE C--ATTRIBUTION OF INCOME AND AFFIDAVITS OF SUPPORT Sec. 421. Federal attribution of sponsor's income and resources to alien. Sec. 422. Authority for States to provide for attribution of sponsors income and resources to the alien with respect to State programs. Sec. 423. Requirements for sponsor's affidavit of support. SUBTITLE D--GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec. 431. Definitions. Sec. 432. Verification of eligibility for Federal public benefits. Sec. 433. Statutory construction. Sec. 434. Communication between State and local government agencies and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Sec. 435. Qualifying quarters. SUBTITLE E--CONFORMING AMENDMENTS RELATING TO ASSISTED HOUSING Sec. 441. Conforming amendments relating to assisted housing. SUBTITLE F--EARNING INCOME CREDIT DENIED TO UNAUTHORIZED EMPLOYEES Sec. 451. Earned income credit denied to individuals not authorized to be employed in the United States. TITLE V--CHILD PROTECTION Sec. 501. Authority of States to make foster care maintenance payments on behalf of children in any private child care institution. Sec. 502. Extension of enhanced match for implementation of statewide automated child welfare information systems. Sec. 503. National random sample study of child welfare. Sec. 504. Redesignation of section 1123. Sec. 505. Kinship care. TITLE VI--CHILD CARE Sec. 601. Short title and references. Sec. 602. Goals. Sec. 603. Authorization of appropriations and entitlement authority. Sec. 604. Lead agency. Sec. 605. Application and plan. Sec. 606. Limitation on State allotments. Sec. 607. Activities to improve the quality of child care. Sec. 608. Repeal of early childhood development and before- and after-school care requirement. Sec. 609. Administration and enforcement. Sec. 610. Payments. Sec. 611. Annual report and audits. Sec. 612. Report by the Secretary. Sec. 613. Allotments. Sec. 614. Definitions. Sec. 615. Effective date. TITLE VII--CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS SUBTITLE A--NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH ACT Sec. 701. State disbursement to schools. Sec. 702. Nutritional and other program requirements. Sec. 703. Free and reduced price policy statement. Sec. 704. Special assistance. Sec. 705. Miscellaneous provisions and definitions. Sec. 706. Summer food service program for children. Sec. 707. Commodity distribution. Sec. 708. Child and adult care food program. Sec. 709. Pilot projects. Sec. 710. Reduction of paperwork. Sec. 711. Information on income eligibility. Sec. 712. Nutrition guidance for child nutrition programs. SUBTITLE B--CHILD NUTRITION ACT OF 1966 Sec. 721. Special milk program. Sec. 722. Free and reduced price policy statement. Sec. 723. School breakfast program authorization. Sec. 724. State administrative expenses. Sec. 725. Regulations. Sec. 726. Prohibitions. Sec. 727. Miscellaneous provisions and definitions. Sec. 728. Accounts and records. Sec. 729. Special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children. Sec. 730. Cash grants for nutrition education. Sec. 731. Nutrition education and training. SUBTITLE C--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS Sec. 741. Coordination of school lunch, school breakfast, and summer food service programs. Sec. 742. Requirements relating to provision of benefits based on citizenship, alienage, or immigration status under the National School Lunch Act, the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, and certain other acts. TITLE VIII--FOOD STAMPS AND COMMODITY DISTRIBUTION SUBTITLE A--FOOD STAMP PROGRAM Sec. 801. Definition of certification period. Sec. 802. Definition of coupon. Sec. 803. Treatment of children living at home. Sec. 804. Adjustment of thrifty food plan. Sec. 805. Definition of homeless individual. Sec. 806. State option for eligibility standards. Sec. 807. Earnings of students. Sec. 808. Energy assistance. Sec. 809. Deductions from income. Sec. 810. Vehicle allowance. Sec. 811. Vendor payments for transitional housing counted as income. Sec. 812. Simplified calculation of income for the self-employed. Sec. 813. Doubled penalties for violating food stamp program requirements. Sec. 814. Disqualification of convicted individuals. Sec. 815. Disqualification. Sec. 816. Caretaker exemption. Sec. 817. Employment and training. Sec. 818. Food stamp eligibility. Sec. 819. Comparable treatment for disqualification. Sec. 820. Disqualification for receipt of multiple food stamp benefits. Sec. 821. Disqualification of fleeing felons. Sec. 822. Cooperation with child support agencies. Sec. 823. Disqualification relating to child support arrears. Sec. 824. Work requirement. Sec. 825. Encouragement of electronic benefit transfer systems. Sec. 826. Value of minimum allotment. Sec. 827. Benefits on recertification. Sec. 828. Optional combined allotment for expedited households. Sec. 829. Failure to comply with other means-tested public assistance programs. Sec. 830. Allotments for households residing in centers. Sec. 831. Condition precedent for approval of retail food stores and wholesale food concerns. Sec. 832. Authority to establish authorization periods. Sec. 833. Information for verifying eligibility for authorization. Sec. 834. Waiting period for stores that fail to meet authorization criteria. Sec. 835. Operation of food stamp offices. Sec. 836. State employee and training standards. Sec. 837. Exchange of law enforcement information. Sec. 838. Expedited coupon service. Sec. 839. Withdrawing fair hearing requests. Sec. 840. Income, eligibility, and immigration status verification systems. Sec. 841. Investigations. Sec. 842. Disqualification of retailers who intentionally submit falsified applications. Sec. 843. Disqualification of retailers who are disqualified under the WIC program. Sec. 844. Collection of overissuances. Sec. 845. Authority to suspend stores violating program requirements pending administrative and judicial review. Sec. 846. Expanded criminal forfeiture for violations. Sec. 847. Limitation on Federal match. Sec. 848. Standards for administration. Sec. 849. Work supplementation or support program. Sec. 850. Waiver authority. Sec. 851. Response to waivers. Sec. 852. Employment initiatives program. Sec. 853. Reauthorization. Sec. 854. Simplified food stamp program. Sec. 855. Study of the use of food stamps to purchase vitamins and minerals. Sec. 856. Deficit reduction. SUBTITLE B--COMMODITY DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS Sec. 871. Emergency food assistance program. Sec. 872. Food bank demonstration project. Sec. 873. Hunger prevention programs. Sec. 874. Report on entitlement commodity processing. SUBTITLE C--ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER SYSTEMS Sec. 891. Provisions to encourage electronic benefit transfer systems. TITLE IX--MISCELLANEOUS Sec. 901. Appropriation by State legislatures. Sec. 902. Sanctioning for testing positive for controlled substances. Sec. 903. Elimination of housing assistance with respect to fugitive felons and probation and parole violators. Sec. 904. Sense of the Senate regarding the inability of the noncustodial parent to pay child support. Sec. 905. Establishing national goals to prevent teenage pregnancies. Sec. 906. Sense of the Senate regarding enforcement of statutory rape laws. Sec. 907. Provisions to encourage electronic benefit transfer systems. Sec. 908. Reduction of block grants to States for social services; use of vouchers. Sec. 909. Rules relating to denial of earned income credit on basis of disqualified income. Sec. 910. Modification of adjusted gross income definition for earned income credit. Sec. 911. Fraud under means-tested welfare and public assistance programs. Sec. 912. Abstinence education. Sec. 913. Change in reference.