,,ii #aadth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cjia ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #bc1 #bjaf ,mr4 ,king 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,ayotte1 ,mr4 ,brown1 and ,mrs4 ,capito7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,finance ,a ,,bill ,to reauthorize the program of block grants to ,states for temporary assistance for needy families through fiscal year #bjba1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,enhancing and ,modernizing ,pathways to ,opportunity through ,work1 ,education1 and ,responsibility ,act of #bjaf or the ,,empower ,act of #bjaf4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,references4 ,sec4 #c4 ,extension of ,program4 ,sec4 #d4 ,amending the ,purposes of ,,tanf ,program4 ,sec4 #e4 ,eliminating the ,marriage ,penalty4 ,sec4 #f4 ,individualized employment plans4 ,sec4 #g4 ,strengthening work participation requirements4 ,sec4 #h4 ,streamlining work participation activities4 ,sec4 #i4 ,improving the accountability of ,,tanf financial resources4 ,sec4 #aj4 ,strengthening ,transparency of ,,tanf ,program ,effectiveness and ,outcomes4 ,sec4 #aa4 ,exclusion of education accounts from income and asset tests4 ,sec4 #ab4 ,exclusion of income and resources of child receiving supplemental security income payments from family income and asset tests4 ,sec4 #ac4 ,effective date4 #b4 ,references ,except as otherwise expressly provided1 wherever in this ,act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to1 or repeal of1 a section or other provision1 the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the ,social ,security ,act4 #c4 ,extension of ,program 7a7 ,family assistance grants ,section #djc7;a77#a7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjc7;a77#a77 is amended by striking fiscal year #bjab in each of subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,c7 and inserting each of fiscal years #bjag through #bjba4 7b7 ,tribal grants ,section #dab7;a7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fab7;a77 is amended in each of paragraphs 7#a77;,a7 and 7#b77;,a7 by striking fiscal year #bjab and inserting each of fiscal years #bjag through #bjba4 7c7 ,child care entitlement ,section #dah7;a77#c7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fah7;a77#c77 is amended by striking fiscal year #bjab and inserting each of fiscal years #bjag through #bjba4 #d4 ,amending the ,purposes of ,,tanf ,program ,section #dja7;a7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking and at the end of paragraph 7#c72 7#b7 by striking the period at the end of paragraph 7#d7 and inserting a semicolon2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#e7 reduce child poverty1 including the incidence of children living in families with incomes of less than #ej percent of the poverty line2 and 7#f7 encourage employment entry1 retention1 and advancement4 4 #e4 ,eliminating the ,marriage ,penalty 7a7 ,elimination of separate and higher participation rate requirements for #b-,parent families ,section #djg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjg7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by striking all through ,a ,state the first place it appears and inserting the following3 7a7 ,participation rate requirements ,a ,state 2 and 7,b7 by striking paragraph 7#b72 7#b7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 in the subsection heading1 by striking ,rates and inserting ,rate2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#a77;,a71 by striking 7a77#a7 and inserting 7a72 7,c7 by striking paragraph 7#b7 and redesignating paragraphs 7#c71 7#d71 and 7#e7 as paragraphs 7#b71 7#c71 and 7#d71 respectively2 7,d7 in paragraph 7#c7 7as so redesignated71 by striking paragraphs 7#a77;,b7 and 7#b77;,b7 and inserting paragraph 7#a77;,b72 and 7,e7 in paragraph 7#d7 7as so redesignated71 by striking rates and inserting rate2 and 7#c7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 by striking all through ,for purposes of subsection 7b77#a77;,b77i7 and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,general rules ,for purposes of subsection 7b77#a77;,b77i7 2 and 7ii7 by striking subparagraph 7,b72 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b77;,d7-- 7i7 by striking paragraphs 7#a77;,b77i7 and 7#b77;,b7 of subsection 7b7 and inserting subsection 7b77#a77;,b77i72 and 7ii7 by striking in all families and in #b-parent families1 respectively14 7b7 ,conforming amendment ,the paragraph heading for section #dji7;a77#c7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fji7;a77#c77 is amended by striking ,rates and inserting ,rate4 7c7 ,equitable access for #b-,parent families ,section #djb7;a7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjb7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#h7 ,certification of equitable access to assistance for #b-parent families ,a certification by the chief executive officer of the ,state that1 during the fiscal year-- 7,a7 #b-parent households will be eligible for equitable access to assistance under the ,state program funded under this part2 7,b7 eligibility for assistance will not be conditioned on deprivation of parental presence2 and 7,c7 no other additional eligibility requirements will be imposed on #b-parent households4 ,the certification shall include a description of how the ,state will ensure the equitable access described in subparagraph 7,a74 4 7d7 ,failure ,to maintain equitable access for #b-,parent families ,section #dji7;a7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fji7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#ag7 ,failure to maintain equitable access for #b-parent families ,if the ,secretary determines that a ,state has not complied with section #djb7;a77#h7 during a fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall reduce the grant payable to the ,state under section #djc7;a77#a7 for the immediately succeeding fiscal year by an amount equal to #b percent of the ,state family assistance grant4 4 #f4 ,individualized employment plans ,section #djh7;b7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjh7;b77 is amended to read as follows3 7b7 ,individualized employment plans 7#a7 ,assessment ,the ,state agency responsible for administering a ,state program funded under this part or any other ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i77 shall conduct a comprehensive assessment of the skills1 prior work experience1 barriers to employment1 and employability of each recipient of assistance under the program who is an adult or a minor child head of household 7and1 at ,state option1 any other adult who is a member of the household of such recipient74 7#b7 ,contents of plan ,on the basis of the assessment made under paragraph 7#a7 with respect to an individual1 the ,state agency1 in consultation with the individual1 shall develop an individualized employment plan which-- 7,a7 specifies the immediate needs of the individual2 7,b7 describes the resources available to the individual to meet the immediate needs2 7,c7 describes the assistance and services the ,state will provide to help the individual meet immediate needs2 7,d7 sets forth an employment goal for the individual and a plan for moving the individual into employment that provides an opportunity for advancement and that1 to the extent possible1 reflects the preferences of the individual2 7,e7 is designed to move the individual into employment or the education or job training required for employment2 7,f7 describes any significant barriers to employment applicable to the individual1 including any work-limiting disability that affects the individual's ability to comply with the requirements of section #djg7;c7 7without regard to paragraph 7#b77;,e7 thereof71 and sets forth a plan to address and accommodate such barriers2 7,g7 sets forth the obligations of the individual1 including specific benchmarks for success that will help the individual become and remain employed2 7,h7 may direct the individual to undergo appropriate substance abuse or other treatment2 7,i7 describes the services necessary for the individual to comply with the plan which the ,state will provide to the individual2 and 7,j7 specifies a timeline for meeting the benchmarks and goals outlined4 7#c7 ,timing ,the ,state agency shall comply with paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7-- 7,a7 not later than ,october #a1 #bjag1 in the case of an individual who1 as of ,october #a1 #bjaf1 was a recipient of assistance under a ,state program described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 within #fj days after the individual is determined to be eligible for assistance1 in the case of any individual not described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#d7 ,periodic review ,the ,state shall meet with each individual with respect to whom an individualized employment plan is required under this subsection1 not less frequently than every #f months as long as the individual is receiving assistance under the ,state program described in paragraph 7#a71 to-- 7,a7 review the individualized employment plan developed for the individual2 7,b7 discuss with the individual the progress made by the individual in meeting the benchmarks and goals specified in the plan2 and 7,c7 update the plan1 as necessary1 to reflect any changes in circumstances of the individual in the preceding #f months4 7#e7 ,individual option to request modifications ,in addition to the review required under paragraph 7#d71 at any time an individual with respect to whom an individualized employment plan is created under this subsection may request1 and the ,state shall consider1 a modification of any of the contents of such plan4 4 #g4 ,strengthening work participation requirements 7a7 ,limitation on credit toward work participation requirement for caseload size and excess state spending ,section #djg7;b77#b77;,a7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjg7;b77#b77;,a771 as amended by section #e1 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating clauses 7i7 and 7ii7 as subclauses 7,i7 and 7,,ii71 respectively1 and by moving such subclauses #b ems to the right2 7#b7 by striking clause 7i7 in subclause 7,,ii71 as so redesignated1 and inserting subclause 7,i72 and 7#c7 by striking for a fiscal year by the number of percentage points and inserting 8for a fiscal year by the lesser of-- 7i7 #be percentage points2 or 7ii7 the number of percentage points 4 7b7 ,counting of work performed by individuals receiving atypical benefit payments ,section #djg7;i77#a77;,a7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjg7;i77#a77;,a77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7iii7 ,recipients receiving work supplement payments ,not later than ,september #cj1 #bjah1 the ,secretary shall promulgate regulations to ensure that the participation rate of a ,state under this section is determined without regard to work engaged in by an individual who has been included in the ,state program funded under this part under ,state policies that include the individual solely to increase the participation rate4 ,such regulations shall include individuals receiving assistance under this part that has a legitimate work-supporting purpose in the calculation of the participation rate of the ,state and shall-- 7,i7 set forth the criteria for determining whether an individual has been included solely for such reason2 7,,ii7 set a minimum monthly dollar amount 7not less than an amount equivalent to #cj per family in fiscal year #bjah7 equal to or above which a work supplement payment will be treated as having a legitimate work-supporting purpose2 and 7,,iii7 permit a ,state to appeal an unfavorable determination if the ,state can demonstrate that its work supplement payments have a legitimate work supporting purpose4 ,the regulations required under this clause shall not be effective before fiscal year #bjai4 4 7c7 ,state option ,to include subsidized employment ,section #djg7;b7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjg7;b771 as amended by section #e1 is further amended by adding at the end the following3 7#e7 ,state option to include subsidized employment ,if an individual who is not a recipient of assistance under the ,state program funded under this part 7or any other ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i777 participates in work activities as part of a ,state's subsidized employment program funded under section #djc7;b71 the ,state may count the individual as a family that includes an adult or a minor child head of household who is engaged in work for the month for purposes of paragraph 7#a77;,b74 4 7d7 ,redesign of penalty for failure ,to satisfy minimum participation rates ,section #dji7;a77#c7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fji7;a77#c771 as amended by this ,act1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking the ,secretary shall reduce and all that follows and inserting then the applicable percentage which would otherwise apply with respect to the ,state for purposes of paragraph 7#g7 for the fiscal year that succeeds the year in which the ,state receives notice of noncompliance with section #djg7;a7 shall be increased by the penalty number of percentage points determined under subparagraph 7,b7 with respect to the ,state for that succeeding fiscal year42 and 7#b7 by striking subparagraph 7,b7 and inserting the following3 7,b7 ,penalty number of percentage points ,for the purposes of subparagraph 7,a71 the penalty number of percentage points determined under this subparagraph with respect to a ,state and a fiscal year is-- 7i7 if the penalty was not imposed on the ,state under subparagraph 7,a7 for the preceding fiscal year1 #e percentage points2 or 7ii7 the lesser of-- 7,i7 the penalty number of percentage points determined under this subparagraph with respect to the ,state for the preceding fiscal year1 plus #e percentage points2 or 7,,ii7 the number of percentage points which1 when added to the applicable percentage referred to in subparagraph 7,a71 would result in the applicable percentage being #ajj percent4 4 7e7 ,rescission of penalties for failure ,to satisfy minimum participation rates ,any penalties imposed with respect to a ,state's failure to satisfy the minimum participation rates described in section #dji7;a77#c7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fji7;a77#c77 for any of fiscal years #bjjg through #bjaf that remain in effect as of the date of enactment of this ,act are rescinded1 and no such penalty shall be imposed after the date of enactment of this ,act for any such fiscal year4 #h4 ,streamlining work participation activities 7a7 ,improving counting of hours of work participation 7#a7 ,elimination of distinction between core and non-core work activities ,section #djg7;c77#a77;,a7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjg7;c77#a77;,a77 is amended by striking 1 not fewer than #bj hours per week of which are attributable to an activity described in paragraph 7#a71 7#b71 7#c71 7#d71 7#e71 7#f71 7#g71 7#h71 or 7#ab7 of subsection 7d74 7#b7 ,allowing states to receive partial credit for partial engagement ,section #djg7;c77#a7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjg7;c77#a771 as amended by section #e1 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking ,general rules--,for purposes of and inserting 8,general rules4-- 7,a7 ,in general ,for purposes of 2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7,b7 ,partial credit for families participating for less than the minimum hours required ,if a family receiving assistance under this part1 or any other ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i771 includes an adult or minor child head of household receiving assistance who has participated in work activities for an average of #ae hours 7or #aj hours1 in the case of a single parent specified in paragraph 7#b77;,b77 per week during a month1 the family shall count as 4#e of a family for purposes of calculating the number described in subsection 7b77#a77;,b77i7 for the month4 4 7#c7 ,state option to request alternative work participation rate calculation ,section #djg7;a7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjg7;a771 as amended by section #e1 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking requirements4--,a ,state and inserting 8requirements4-- 7#a7 ,in general ,a ,state 2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#b7 ,state option to request alternative work participation rate calculation 7,a7 ,application ,a ,state may apply to the ,secretary to apply subparagraph 7,c7 with respect to the ,state4 7,b7 ,approval of application ,the ,secretary may approve the application if the ,state demonstrates to the ,secretary 7in accordance with such guidelines as the ,secretary shall establish7 that the ,state has systems and mechanisms in place to accurately record individual hours of participation in work activities that accurately reflect the number of hours of participation of the individuals required to participate in activities4 7,c7 ,alternative work participation rate calculation ,a ,state whose application under this paragraph is approved by the ,secretary shall be considered to be in compliance with this subsection for a month in a fiscal year if the total number of hours during which the recipients of assistance under the ,state program funded under this part1 or any other ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i771 who are required to be participating in work activities during the month have participated in the activities1 is not less than the percentage equal to the minimum participation rate in effect under paragraph 7#a7 for the fiscal year1 multiplied by the sum of-- 7i7 #cj times the number of the recipients who are so required to participate for an average of at least #cj hours per week in the month 7as determined by the ,state72 and 7ii7 #bj times the number of the recipients who are so required to participate for an average of at least #bj hours per week in the month 7as so determined74 4 7b7 ,modification to definition and applicability of vocational education ,section #djg7;d7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjg7;d77 is amended by striking paragraph 7#h7 and inserting the following3 7#h7 post-secondary1 vocational1 or career and technical education 7not to exceed #cf months with respect to any individual72 4 7c7 ,modification to counting job search as work ,section #djg7;c77#b77;,a7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjg7;c77#b77;,a77 is amended to read as follows3 7,a7 ,counting of job search as work ,participation of an individual in an activity described in subsection 7d77#f7 of a ,state program funded under this part or any other ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i77 may count as all hours of participation in a work activity for a total of #c months4 ,upon exhaustion of the #c months1 participation by the individual in such an activity shall count towards not more than half of the hours of participation in work activities by the individual4 4 7d7 ,providing child care assistance to community service participant replaced by job readiness assistance as separate work activity 7#a7 ,in general ,section #djg7;d7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjg7;d77 is amended by striking paragraph 7#ab7 and inserting the following3 7#ab7 job readiness assistance4 4 7#b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #djg7;d77#f7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjg7;d77#f77 is amended by striking and job readiness assistance4 7e7 ,elimination of age cap on participation in secondary school attendance ,section #djg7;c77#b77;,c7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjg7;c77#b77;,c77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the subparagraph heading1 by striking ,single teen head of household or married teen and inserting ,individual2 and 7#b7 by striking who is married or a head of household and has not attained #bj years of age4 7f7 ,elimination of limitation on number of persons who may be treated as engaged in work by reason of participation in educational activities ,section #djg7;c77#b7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjg7;c77#b77 is amended by striking subparagraph 7,d74 7g7 ,modification to counting job readiness activities as work ,section #djg7;c77#b7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjg7;c77#b771 as amended by subsection 7f71 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7,d7 ,counting of job readiness activities as work ,an individual shall be considered to be engaged in work by reason of participation in an activity described in subsection 7d77#ab7 of a ,state program funded under this part or any other ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i77 for not more than #f months1 unless the individual's individualized employment plan under section #djh7;b7 specifies that continued participation in such an activity is necessary to help prepare the individual for1 or support the individual in1 employment4 4 7h7 ,individuals with work-,limiting disabilities ,section #djg7;c77#b7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjg7;c77#b771 as amended by subsections 7f7 and 7g71 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7,e7 ,individuals with work-limiting disabilities ,an individual whose individualized employment plan under section #djh7;b7 details a work-limiting disability of the individual and includes specific benchmarks1 goals1 and services to accommodate such disability in moving the individual toward employment shall be considered to be engaged in work for a month in a fiscal year if the individual participates in work activities in accordance with such individualized employment plan for such month and is making appropriate progress toward the goals and benchmarks set forth in such plan4 4 #i4 ,improving the accountability of ,,tanf financial resources 7a7 ,prohibition on use of ,federal ,,tanf funds for families with income greater than #bjj percent of the poverty line ,section #djd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjd7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7l7 ,prohibition on use of federal ,,tanf funds for families with income greater than #bjj percent of the poverty line ,a ,state shall not use a grant made under this part1 or any other program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i771 to provide any assistance1 benefit1 or service to a family whose monthly income1 for the month in which the family applied for the assistance1 benefit1 or service1 exceeds #bjj percent of the poverty line 7as defined by the ,office of ,management and ,budget1 and revised annually in accordance with section #fgc7b7 of the ,omnibus ,budget ,reconciliation ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iijb7b7774 4 7b7 ,expenditures for certain families with income greater than #bjj percent of the poverty line disregarded in applying state spending requirement ,section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fji7;a77#g77;,b77i77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7,,vi7 ,exclusion of expenditures for certain families with income greater than #bjj percent of the poverty line ,such term does not include any amount expended to provide any assistance1 benefit1 or service to a family whose monthly income for the month in which the family applied for the assistance1 benefit1 or service exceeded #bjj percent of the poverty line 7as defined in the ,office of ,management and ,budget1 and revised annually in accordance with section #fgc7b7 of the ,omnibus ,budget ,reconciliation ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iijb7b777 in effect with respect to the month involved4 4 7c7 ,minimum spending requirement on ,,tanf core activities ,section #djd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjd71 as amended by subsection 7a71 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7m7 ,minimum spending requirement on ,,tanf core activities 7#a7 ,in general ,for each fiscal year1 a ,state to which a grant is made under this part shall expend not less than the applicable percentage of the total of the amounts paid to the ,state under this part and the ,state's qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i77 on core program activities4 7#b7 ,applicable percentage 7,a7 ,in general ,for purposes of paragraph 7#a71 the applicable percentage with respect to a ,state is the greater of-- 7i7 the percentage of the total described in paragraph 7#a7 which was expended on core program activities by the ,state in fiscal year #bjaf2 or 7ii7 the annual minimum percentage4 7,b7 ,annual minimum percentage ,for purposes of subparagraph 7,a71 the annual minimum percentage is-- 7i7 for fiscal year #bjag1 #be percent2 7ii7 for fiscal year #bjah1 #ce percent2 7iii7 for fiscal year #bjai1 #de percent2 7iv7 for fiscal year #bjbj1 #ee percent2 and 7v7 for fiscal years thereafter1 #fj percent4 7#c7 ,amounts attributable to penalty for failure to satisfy minimum work participation rates ,if a ,state is required to increase its qualified ,state expenditures for a fiscal year to avoid the reduction under section #dji7;a77#g7 by reason of section #dji7;a77#c77;,a71 the amount of any such increase which is attributable to the penalty under section #dji7;a77#c77;,a7 shall be expended on core program activities4 7#d7 ,core program activities ,for purposes of this subsection1 the term core program activities means any of the following with respect to eligible families3 7,a7 ,cash assistance to such families4 7,b7 ,work1 education1 and training activities1 including transportation4 7,c7 ,child care assistance 7including amounts transferred to the ,state's ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant fund pursuant to subsection 7d77#a77;,b774 4 7d7 ,penalty for failure ,to comply with requirement of minimum spending on core program activities ,section #dji7;a7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fji7;a771 as amended by section #e1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#ah7 ,penalty for failure to comply with requirement of minimum spending on core program activities 7,a7 ,in general ,if1 for any year beginning after the date that is #b years after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the ,secretary determines that a ,state has not complied with the minimum spending requirements applicable to such ,state under section #djd7m71 the ,secretary shall reduce the grant payable to the ,state under section #djc7;a77#a7 for the immediately succeeding fiscal year by an amount equal to #e percent of the ,state family assistance grant4 7,b7 ,reduction of applicable penalty ,the ,secretary may reduce the amount of the penalty required under subparagraph 7,a7 based on the degree of noncompliance of the ,state with the requirements of section #djd7m74 4 7e7 ,exclusion of third party contributions in determining ,state spending ,section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fji7;a77#g77;,b77i771 as amended by subsection 7b71 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7,,vii7 ,exclusion of third party contributions ,such term shall not include-- 7aa7 for fiscal year #bjag1 the amount 7if any7 by which-- 7,,aa7 the value of all expenditures for benefits or services including cash donations and in-kind contributions provided by a source other than the ,state or a local government during the fiscal year2 exceeds 7,,bb7 the value of all such expenditures for benefits or services including cash donations and in-kind contributions claimed by the ,state as qualified ,state expenditures for fiscal year #bjaf2 7bb7 for fiscal year #bjah1 the amount 7if any7 by which-- 7,,aa7 the value referred to in item 7aa77,,aa72 exceeds 7,,bb7 #ej percent of the value referred to in item 7aa77,,bb72 and 7cc7 for any fiscal year after #bjah1 the value referred to in item 7aa77,,aa74 4 #aj4 ,strengthening ,transparency of ,,tanf ,program ,effectiveness and ,outcomes 7a7 ,in general ,subsection 7c7 of section #daa 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #faa7 is amended to read as follows3 7c7 ,strengthening transparency on ,,tanf effectiveness and outcomes 7#a7 ,in general ,each ,state1 in consultation with the ,secretary1 shall establish robust indicators and targets for performance in relation to such indicators1 to track the effectiveness of the ,state program funded under this part and any other ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i774 ,such performance targets shall apply to fiscal years #bjai and beyond4 7#b7 ,indicators ,each ,state shall consult with the ,secretary to determine a robust set of indicators related to the ,state's success in meeting the purposes of the program under this part4 ,such indicators shall include1 at a minimum1 the following3 7,a7 ,the percentage of former adult recipients of assistance under the ,state program funded under this part or any other ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i77 who ceased receiving assistance during the fiscal year and who1 while such recipients1 were work-eligible individuals1 and are employed during-- 7i7 the #bnd quarter after exiting from the program2 and 7ii7 the #dth quarter after exiting the program4 7,b7 ,the median earnings of such former recipients of assistance during-- 7i7 the #bnd quarter after exiting from the program2 and 7ii7 the #dth quarter after exiting from the program4 7,c7 ,the percentage of former adult recipients described in subparagraph 7,a77i7 who are also described in subparagraph 7,a77ii74 7,d7 ,the average number of families with children in the ,state on a monthly basis who received cash assistance funded under this part or by qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i77 during the fiscal year1 expressed both-- 7i7 as a percentage of all of the families in the ,state whose income is less than the poverty line 7as defined by the ,office of ,management and ,budget and revised annually in accordance with section #fgc7b7 of the ,omnibus ,budget ,reconciliation ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iijb7b777 for months during the same fiscal year2 and 7ii7 as a percentage of all of the families in the ,state whose income is less than #ej percent of such poverty line for months during the same fiscal year4 7,e7 ,the percentage of children in the ,state living in families whose income is less than #ej percent of the ,federal poverty line4 7,f7 ,the percentage of children in the ,state living in families that experienced food insecurity 7as defined by the ,secretary of ,agriculture7 at any time during the fiscal year4 7#c7 ,additional indicators ,nothing in this subsection shall be construed as limiting a ,state1 in consultation with the ,secretary1 from establishing additional indicators and performance targets in relationship to such indicators for purposes of measuring the effectiveness of the ,state program funded under this part and any other ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i774 ,the ,state shall consult and reach agreement with the ,secretary on any such additional indicators that the ,state plans to track and report in accordance with paragraph 7#d77;,b74 7#d7 ,timeline for establishing performance targets for each indicator 7,a7 ,baseline year ,for purposes of establishing performance targets under this subsection1 the ,state shall use fiscal year #bjah as the baseline year from which to compare performance4 7,b7 ,fiscal years #bjai and beyond ,the ,state shall reach agreement with the ,secretary in fiscal year #bjag on the performance targets for each of the indicators described in paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c71 for each of fiscal years #bjai1 #bjbj1 and #bjba4 ,in establishing such targets1 the ,state and the ,secretary shall-- 7i7 take into account a comparison with the targets established for other ,states2 7ii7 ensure that the targets reflect differences among ,states in actual economic conditions1 including-- 7,i7 unemployment rates and job losses or gains in particular industries2 and 7,,ii7 characteristics of recipients of assistance1 including prior work history1 educational or skills attainment1 and other factors that may present barriers to employment2 and 7iii7 ensure that the targets promote continuous improvement by the ,state4 7#e7 ,report on state performance 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than ,october #a1 #bjah1 the ,secretary shall develop a template which each ,state shall use to report annually on outcomes achieved under the ,state program funded under this part4 7,b7 ,contents ,each such report shall include-- 7i7 the number of individuals who exited the program during the year and their reasons for doing so2 7ii7 the characteristics of the individuals who exited the program during the year1 including information about the length of time the individual received assistance under the program1 the educational level of the individual1 and the work earnings of the individual in the #d fiscal quarters preceding the individual's exit2 and 7iii7 information specifying the levels of performance achieved on each of the indicators described in paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c74 7,c7 ,publication ,not later than ,september #cj of fiscal year #bjai and each succeeding fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall make available electronically to the public each report submitted under this subparagraph during the fiscal year4 4 #aa4 ,exclusion of education accounts from income and asset tests ,section #djh7;a7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#ac7 ,exclusion of education accounts from income and asset tests ,in determining eligibility for assistance under this part or any other ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i771 a ,state to which a grant is made under section #djc shall exclude from financial resources the value of any funds in a qualified tuition program described in section #ebi of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf or in a ,coverdell education savings account under section #ecj of such ,code4 4 #ab4 ,exclusion of income and resources of child receiving supplemental security income payments from family income and asset tests ,section #djh7;a71 as amended by section #e and section #aa1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#ad7 ,exclusion of income and resources of child receiving supplemental security income payments from family income and asset tests ,in determining eligibility for assistance under this part or any other ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i771 a ,state to which a grant is made under section #djc shall exclude from income and assets any income or resources of a dependent child who is a recipient of supplemental security income benefits under title ,,xvi4 4 #ac4 ,effective date 7a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subsection 7b71 this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act shall take effect on ,october #a1 #bjaf4 7b7 ,state option ,to accelerate the effective date of the amendments related to work requirements ,a ,state may elect to have the amendments made by section #h take effect with the ,state on such earlier date as the ,state may elect that occurs on or after the date of enactment of this ,act4