,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ddgc ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,september #bd1 #bjai,mr4 ,lewis introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,ways and ,means ,a ,,bill ,to reauthorize the ,assets for ,independence ,act1 to provide for the approval of applications to operate new demonstration programs and to renew existing programs1 to enhance program flexibility1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 reference2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,stephanie ,tubbs ,jones ,assets for ,independence ,reauthorization ,act of #bjai4 7b7 ,reference ,except as otherwise expressly provided1 wherever in this ,act an amendment is expressed in terms of an amendment to a section or other provision1 the reference shall be considered to be made to that section or other provision of the ,assets for ,independence ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjd note74 7c7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 reference2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,findings4 ,sec4 #c4 ,sense of ,congress4 ,sec4 #d4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #e4 ,applications4 ,sec4 #f4 ,demonstration authority2 annual grants4 ,sec4 #g4 ,reserve ,fund4 ,sec4 #h4 ,eligibility for participation4 ,sec4 #i4 ,deposits by qualified entities4 ,sec4 #aj4 ,regulations4 ,sec4 #aa4 ,annual progress reports4 ,sec4 #ab4 ,sanctions4 ,sec4 #ac4 ,evaluations4 ,sec4 #ad4 ,costs of training qualified entities4 ,sec4 #ae4 ,waiver authority4 ,sec4 #af4 ,authorization of appropriations4 ,sec4 #ag4 ,conforming amendments4 ,sec4 #ah4 ,general effective date4 #b4 ,findings ,section #djb is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking ,fully and inserting ,almost #a_/d2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking the first sentence and inserting the following3 ,traditional public assistance programs concentrate on income and consumption and have lacked an asset-building component to promote and support the transition to increased economic self-sufficiency44 #c4 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that a qualified entity conducting a demonstration project under the ,assets for ,independence ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjd note7 should1 to the maximum extent practicable1 increase-- 7#a7 the rate at which the entity matches contributions by individuals participating in the project under section #daj7;a77#a7 of such ,act2 or 7#b7 the number of individuals participating in the project4 #d4 ,definitions ,section #djd is amended-- 7#a7 by amending paragraph 7#d7 to read as follows3 7#d7 ,household ,the term household means an individual or group of individuals who live in a single residence4 ,multiple households may share a single residence4 2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#e77;,a7-- 7,a7 by striking clause 7iii72 7,b7 by redesignating clauses 7iv7 through 7vi7 as clauses 7iii7 through 7v71 respectively2 and 7,c7 in clause 7iv71 as redesignated by subparagraph 7,b71 by striking clause 7vi7 and inserting clause 7v72 7#c7 in paragraph 7#g77;,a7-- 7,a7 by amending clause 7ii7 to read as follows3 7ii7 a ,state or local government agency 7or a public housing agency1 as defined in section #c7;b77#f7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;a7b77#f777 or a tribal government 7or a tribally designated housing entity1 as defined in section #d7bb7 of the ,native ,american ,housing ,assistance and ,self-,determination ,act of #aiif 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #dajc7bb7772 2 and 7,b7 by striking clause 7iii7 and inserting the following3 7iii7 a credit union designated as a low-income credit union by the ,national ,credit ,union ,administration 7,,ncua72 or 7iv7 an organization designated as a community development financial institution by the ,secretary of the ,treasury 7or the ,community ,development ,financial ,institutions ,fund74 2 and 7#d7 in paragraph 7#h7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 in the first sentence-- 7,i7 by inserting of an eligible individual or the dependent of an eligible individual 7as such term is used in subparagraph 7,e77ii77 after expenses2 and 7,,ii7 by inserting 1 or to a vendor pursuant to an education purchase plan approved by a qualified entity before the period2 7ii7 in clause 7i7-- 7,i7 in subclause 7,,ii71 by inserting or for courses described in subclause 7,,iii7 after eligible educational institution2 and 7,,ii7 by adding at the end the following new subclauses3 7,,iii7 ,preparatory courses ,preparatory courses for an examination required for admission to an eligible educational institution1 for successful performance at an eligible educational institution1 or for a professional licensing or certification examination4 7,,iv7 ,room and board and transportation ,room and board and transportation1 including commuting expenses1 necessary to enable attendance at courses of instruction at an eligible educational institution or attendance at courses described in subclause 7,,iii74 2 7iii7 by amending clause 7ii7 to read as follows3 7ii7 ,eligible educational institution ,the term eligible educational institution means-- 7,i7 an institution described in section #aja or #ajb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja1 #ajjb72 or 7,,ii7 an area career and technical education school1 as defined in section #c7c7 of the ,carl ,d4 ,perkins ,career and ,technical ,education ,act of #bjjf 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #bcjb7c774 2 and 7iv7 by adding at the end the following new clause3 7iii7 ,education purchase plan ,the term education purchase plan means a plan-- 7,i7 for the purchase of items or services described in subclauses 7,,ii7 through 7,,iv7 of clause 7i7 from entities other than eligible educational institutions2 7,,ii7 that includes a description of the items or services to be purchased2 and 7,,iii7 that includes such information as a qualified entity may request from the eligible individual involved regarding the necessity of the items or services to a course of study at an eligible educational institution or a course described in clause 7i77,,iii74 2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b7-- 7i7 by amending clause 7i7 to read as follows3 7i7 ,principal residence ,the term principal residence means a main residence the qualified acquisition costs of which do not exceed #abj percent of the median house price in the area1 as determined by the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development for purposes of section #bjc7;b7 of the ,national ,housing ,act 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #agji7;b77 for a residence occupied by a number of families that corresponds to the number of households occupying the residence involved4 2 and 7ii7 in clause 7iii7-- 7,i7 by amending subclause 7,i7 to read as follows3 7,i7 ,in general ,subject to subclause 7,,ii71 the term qualified first-time homebuyer means an individual participating in the project involved who-- 7aa7 has no sole present ownership interest in a principal residence during the #c-year period ending on the date of acquisition of the principal residence to which this subparagraph applies 7except for an interest in such principal residence72 and 7bb7 has no co-ownership interest in a principal residence on the date of acquisition of the principal residence to which this subparagraph applies 7except for an interest in such principal residence74 2 7,,ii7 by redesignating subclause 7,,ii7 as subclause 7,,iii72 and 7,,iii7 by inserting after subclause 7,i7 the following new subclause3 7,,ii7 ,exception for victims of domestic violence ,an individual participating in the project involved who is a recent or current victim of domestic violence 7as defined in section #djjjb7;a77#h7 of the ,violence ,against ,women ,act of #aiid 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acibe7;a77#h777 shall not be considered to fail to be a qualified first-time homebuyer by reason of having a co-ownership interest in a principal residence with a person who committed domestic violence against the victim4 2 7,c7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,c7 and 7,d7 as subparagraphs 7,d7 and 7,e71 respectively2 7,d7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,b7 the following new subparagraph3 7,c7 ,home replacement1 repair1 or improvement ,qualified replacement costs or qualified repair or improvement costs with respect to a principal residence1 if paid from an individual development account directly to the persons to whom the amounts are due4 ,in this subparagraph3 7i7 ,principal residence ,the term principal residence means-- 7,i7 with respect to payment of qualified replacement costs1 a main residence the qualified replacement costs of which do not exceed #abj percent of the median house price in the area1 as determined by the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development for purposes of section #bjc7;b7 of the ,national ,housing ,act 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #agji7;b77 for a residence occupied by a number of families that corresponds to the number of households occupying the residence involved2 or 7,,ii7 with respect to qualified repair or improvement costs1 a main residence the value of which does not exceed1 on the day before the commencement of the repairs or improvements1 #abj percent of such median house price4 7ii7 ,qualified replacement costs ,the term qualified replacement costs means the costs 7including any usual or reasonable settlement1 financing1 or other closing costs7 of replacing-- 7,i7 a manufactured home that was manufactured1 assembled1 or imported for resale before the initial effectiveness of any ,federal manufactured home construction and safety standards established pursuant to section #fjd of the ,national ,manufactured ,housing ,construction and ,safety ,standards ,act of #aigd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #edjc72 or 7,,ii7 a residence that fails to meet local building codes or is not legally habitable4 7iii7 ,qualified repair or improvement costs ,the term qualified repair or improvement costs means the costs of making repairs or improvements 7including any usual or reasonable financing costs7 that will enhance the habitability or long-term value of a residence4 2 and 7,e7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,f7 ,qualified tuition programs ,contributions paid from an individual development account of an eligible individual directly to a qualified tuition program 7as defined in subsection 7b7 of section #ebi of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf71 for the purpose of covering qualified higher education expenses 7as defined in subsection 7e77#c7 of such section7 of a dependent of such individual 7as such term is used in clause 7ii7 of subparagraph 7,e774 4 #e4 ,applications ,section #dje is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7c77#d71 by adding at the end the following3 ,such funds include funds received under the ,community ,services ,block ,grant ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iija et seq471 the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #dej;b et seq471 the ,native ,american ,housing ,assistance and ,self-,determination ,act of #aiif 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #daja et seq471 or title ,i of the ,housing and ,community ,development ,act of #aigd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ecja et seq47 7including ,community ,development ,block ,grant ,act funds and ,indian ,community ,development ,block ,grant ,act funds71 that are formally committed to the project42 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7h7 ,applications for new projects and renewals of existing projects ,for project years beginning on or after the date of the enactment of the ,stephanie ,tubbs ,jones ,assets for ,independence ,reauthorization ,act of #bjai1 the preceding provisions of this section shall only apply as follows3 7#a7 ,announcement of procedures ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of the ,stephanie ,tubbs ,jones ,assets for ,independence ,reauthorization ,act of #bjai1 the ,secretary shall publicly announce the procedures by which a qualified entity may submit an application-- 7,a7 to conduct a demonstration project under this title2 or 7,b7 for renewal of authority to conduct a demonstration project under this title4 7#b7 ,approval ,the ,secretary shall1 on a competitive basis1 approve applications submitted pursuant to the procedures announced under paragraph 7#a71 taking into account the assessments required by subsection 7c7 and giving special consideration to the applications described in paragraph 7#c74 7#c7 ,special consideration ,the applications described in this paragraph are the following3 7,a7 ,applications submitted by qualified entities proposing to conduct demonstration projects under this title that will target the following populations3 7i7 ,individuals who are or have been in foster care4 7ii7 ,victims of domestic violence 7as defined in section #djjjb7;a77#h7 of the ,violence ,against ,women ,act of #aiid 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acibe7;a77#h7774 7iii7 ,victims of-- 7,i7 a major disaster declared to exist by the ,president under section #dja of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj7 or an emergency declared to exist by the ,president under section #eja of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaia72 or 7,,ii7 a situation similar to a major disaster or emergency described in subclause 7,i7 declared to exist by the ,governor of a ,state4 7iv7 ,formerly incarcerated individuals4 7v7 ,individuals who are unemployed or underemployed4 7,b7 ,applications described in subsection 7d74 7#d7 ,contracts with nonprofit entities ,subsection 7f7 shall continue to apply4 7#e7 ,grandfathering of existing statewide programs ,subsection 7g7 shall continue to apply1 except that any reference in such subsection to the date of enactment of this ,act or to #a1jjj1jjj shall be deemed to be a reference to the date of the enactment of the ,stephanie ,tubbs ,jones ,assets for ,independence ,reauthorization ,act of #bjai or to #bej1jjj1 respectively4 4 #f4 ,demonstration authority2 annual grants ,section #djf7;a7 is amended by inserting 7or1 in the case of an application approved under section #dje7;h77#b71 not later than #cj days after the date of the approval of such application7 after the date of enactment of this title4 #g4 ,reserve ,fund ,section #djg7;c7 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a77;,d71 by inserting or organizations after organization2 and 7#b7 by amending paragraph 7#c7 to read as follows3 7#c7 ,limitation on uses 7,a7 ,in general ,of the amount provided to a qualified entity under section #djf7;b7-- 7i7 not more than #e4e percent shall be used for the purpose described in subparagraph 7,a7 of paragraph 7#a72 7ii7 not less than #hj percent shall be used for the purpose described in subparagraph 7,b7 of such paragraph2 and 7iii7 not more than #ad4e percent shall be used for the purposes described in subparagraphs 7,c7 and 7,d7 of such paragraph4 7,b7 ,joint administration of project ,if two or more qualified entities are jointly administering a demonstration project1 no one such entity shall use more than its proportional share of the percentage indicated in subparagraph 7,a7 of this paragraph for the purposes described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,d7 of paragraph 7#a74 4 #h4 ,eligibility for participation ,section #djh is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by amending paragraph 7#a7 to read as follows3 7#a7 ,income tests ,the household meets either of the following income tests3 7,a7 ,adjusted gross income test ,the adjusted gross income of the household for the last taxable year ending in or with the preceding calendar year does not exceed the greater of-- 7i7 #bjj percent of the ,federal poverty line1 as defined in section #fgc7b7 of the ,community ,services ,block ,grant ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iijb7b771 including any revision required by such section1 for a family composed of the number of persons in the household at the end of such taxable year2 or 7ii7 #hj percent of the median income for the area for such taxable year1 as determined by the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development for purposes of section #c7;b77#b7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;a7b77#b771 taking into account any family-size adjustment by the ,secretary under such section that corresponds to the size of the household at the end of such taxable year4 7,b7 ,modified adjusted gross income test 7i7 ,in general ,the modified adjusted gross income of the household for the last taxable year ending in or with the preceding calendar year does not exceed the amount described in clause 7ii7 for the individual whose eligibility is being determined under this section4 7ii7 ,amount described ,the amount described in this clause for an individual is as follows3 7,i7 ,married filing jointly #dj1jjj for an individual described in subsection 7a77#a7 of section #a of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf4 7,,ii7 ,surviving spouse #dj1jjj for an individual described in subsection 7a77#b7 of such section4 7,,iii7 ,head of household #cj1jjj for an individual described in subsection 7b7 of such section4 7,,iv7 ,single or married filing separately #bj1jjj for an individual described in subsection 7c7 or 7d7 of such section4 7iii7 ,adjustment for inflation 7,i7 ,in general ,in the case of a calendar year described in clause 7i7 that is after #bjbj1 the dollar amounts in clause 7ii7 shall be the dollar amounts determined under this clause 7or clause 7ii77 for the previous year increased by the annual percentage increase 7if any7 in the consumer price index 7all items2 ,u4,s4 city average7 as of ,september of the calendar year described in clause 7i74 7,,ii7 ,rounding ,any dollar amount determined under subclause 7,i7 that is not a multiple of #ajj shall be rounded to the next greatest multiple of #ajj4 2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,d7 ,adjustment for inflation 7i7 ,in general ,in the case of a calendar year described in subparagraph 7,a7 that is after #bjbj1 the dollar amount in such subparagraph shall be the dollar amount determined under this clause 7or such subparagraph7 for the previous year increased by the annual percentage increase 7if any7 in the consumer price index 7all items2 ,u4,s4 city average7 as of ,september of the calendar year described in such subparagraph4 7ii7 ,rounding ,any dollar amount determined under clause 7i7 that is not a multiple of #ajj shall be rounded to the next greatest multiple of #ajj4 2 7#b7 by redesignating subsection 7b7 as subsection 7c72 7#c7 by inserting after subsection 7a7 the following new subsection3 7b7 ,calculating income of household 7#a7 ,adjusted gross income ,for purposes of subsection 7a77#a77;,a71 the adjusted gross income of a household for a taxable year is the sum of the adjusted gross incomes of the individuals who are members of the household at the end of such year4 7#b7 ,modified adjusted gross income ,for purposes of subsection 7a77#a77;,b71 the modified adjusted gross income of a household for a taxable year is the sum of the modified adjusted gross incomes of the individuals who are members of the household at the end of such year4 2 and 7#d7 in subsection 7c71 as redesignated by paragraph 7#b7-- 7,a7 by striking 1 including and all that follows and inserting a period2 7,b7 by striking ,the ,secretary and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary 2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraphs3 7#b7 ,individuals who move because of major disasters or emergencies or to find employment 7,a7 ,in general ,the regulations promulgated under paragraph 7#a7 shall establish procedures under which an individual described in subparagraph 7,b7 may transfer from one demonstration project under this title to another demonstration project under this title that is being conducted in another community by a qualified entity that agrees to accept the individual into the project4 ,such regulations shall not permit such a transfer unless such qualified entity has sufficient amounts in its ,reserve ,fund to make the deposits required by section #daj with respect to the individual4 7,b7 ,individual described ,an individual described in this subparagraph is an individual participating in a demonstration project under this title who moves from the community in which the project is being conducted-- 7i7 because of-- 7,i7 a major disaster declared to exist in such community by the ,president under section #dja of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj7 or an emergency declared to exist in such community by the ,president under section #eja of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaia72 7,,ii7 a situation similar to a major disaster or emergency described in subclause 7,i7 declared to exist in such community by the ,governor of a ,state2 or 7,,iii7 a qualifying life event experienced by such individual2 or 7ii7 in order to secure employment4 7,c7 ,qualifying life event defined ,for purposes of subparagraph 7,b77i77,,iii71 the term qualifying life event-- 7i7 means an event determined by the ,secretary to be similar to an event that would permit the individual to make an election change with respect to a cafeteria plan under section #abe of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf2 and 7ii7 includes-- 7,i7 a change in the legal marital status of the individual2 7,,ii7 a change in the number of dependents of the individual 7as such term is used in section #djd7h77;,e77ii772 7,,iii7 the birth or death of a child of the individual2 7,,iv7 the adoption or placement for adoption of a child by the individual2 7,v7 a change in the provider of daycare for a child of the individual1 or a significant increase in the cost of such daycare2 and 7,,vi7 a change in employment status of the individual1 the individual's spouse1 or a dependent of the individual 7as such term is used in section #djd7h77;,e77ii774 7#c7 ,relocation to community where no project is available 7,a7 ,in general ,an individual described in subparagraph 7,b7 shall be permitted to withdraw funds from the individual development account of the individual during the #a-year period following the date such individual moves to another community in the same manner that an individual is permitted under section #daj7;d77#b7 to withdraw funds during the #a-year period following the end of a demonstration project4 7,b7 ,individual described ,an individual described in this subparagraph is an individual who-- 7i7 moves to a community where no demonstration project under this title is being conducted2 or 7ii7 after moving to another community and making such efforts as the ,secretary may require to transfer to another demonstration project under this title1 is1 for any reason other than a violation of the requirements of this title or regulations promulgated by the ,secretary under this title1 not accepted into another demonstration project under this title4 7,c7 ,funds remaining in ,,ida ,any funds remaining in an individual development account after the end of the #a-year period described in subparagraph 7,a7 shall be treated in the same manner as funds remaining in an individual development account after the end of the #a-year period described in subsection 7d77#b77;,a7 of section #daj are treated under subsection 7f7 of such section4 7#d7 ,relocation by other individuals ,the regulations promulgated under paragraph 7#a7 shall prohibit any individual who is unable to continue participating in a demonstration project under this title for any reason1 except for an individual described in paragraph 7#b77;,b7 or 7#c77;,b71 from being eligible to participate in any other demonstration project conducted under this title4 4 #i4 ,deposits by qualified entities ,section #daj is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#b71 by inserting #b times after an amount equal to2 7#b7 in subsection 7b71 by striking #b1jjj and inserting #e1jjj2 7#c7 in subsection 7c71 by striking #d1jjj and inserting #aj1jjj2 7#d7 in subsection 7d7-- 7,a7 by striking ,the ,secretary shall and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall 2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#a71 as amended by subparagraph 7,a71 by adding at the end the following3 ,the ,secretary may waive the application of the preceding sentence in the case of an individual who has participated in another demonstration project under this title 7including successful completion after transferring from one project to another project as described in section #djh7;c77#b77 or an asset-building project similar to the demonstration projects conducted under this title42 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#b7 ,access for #a year after end of project 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall ensure that an eligible individual is able to withdraw funds from an individual development account of the individual during the #a-year period following the end of the demonstration project with respect to which deposits were made into such account 7whether such project ends by reason of expiration of the authority under section #djf7;a7 of the qualified entity to conduct the demonstration project1 termination of such authority under section #dac without transfer to another qualified entity1 or otherwise74 7,b7 ,approval of withdrawals ,during the period described in subparagraph 7,a71 an eligible individual may only make a withdrawal if the withdrawal is approved in writing-- 7i7 by a responsible official of the qualified entity2 or 7ii7 by the ,secretary1 if the ,secretary terminated the authority of the qualified entity to conduct the demonstration project under section #dac or the ,secretary determines that the qualified entity is otherwise unable or unwilling to participate in the approval process4 2 and 7#e7 by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7f7 ,unused funds in ,,ida ,if funds remain in an individual development account after the end of the #a-year period described in subsection 7d77#b77;,a71 such funds shall be disposed of as considered appropriate by the ,secretary or a nonprofit entity 7as such term is used in section #djd7g77;,a77i77 designated by the ,secretary4 4 #aj4 ,regulations ,section #daa is amended-- 7#a7 in the heading1 by inserting 2 regulations after projects2 7#b7 by striking ,a qualified entity and inserting the following3 7a7 ,local control over demonstration projects ,a qualified entity 2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7b7 ,regulations ,subject to subsection 7a71 not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of the ,stephanie ,tubbs ,jones ,assets for ,independence ,reauthorization ,act of #bjai1 the ,secretary shall promulgate such regulations as the ,secretary considers necessary to implement this title4 ,the ,secretary may provide that any such regulation takes effect on the date of promulgation1 but the ,secretary shall accept and consider public comments for #fj days after such date4 4 #aa4 ,annual progress reports 7a7 ,in general ,section #dab7;b7 is amended by striking subsection 7a7 to and all that follows and inserting subsection 7a7 to the ,secretary44 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendment made by subsection 7a7 shall apply to reports submitted on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #ab4 ,sanctions 7a7 ,in general ,section #dac is amended-- 7#a7 by amending subsection 7b77#e7 to read as follows3 7#e7 if1 by the end of the #ij-;day period beginning on the date of the termination1 the ,secretary has not found a qualified entity 7or entities7 described in paragraph 7#c71 shall-- 7,a7 make every effort to identify1 without conducting a competition 7unless the ,secretary determines that conducting a competition would be feasible and appropriate71 another qualified entity 7or entities71 in the same or a different community1 willing and able to conduct one or more demonstration projects under this title that may differ from the project being terminated2 7,b7 in identifying a qualified entity 7or entities7 under subparagraph 7,a71 give priority to qualified entities that-- 7i7 are participating in demonstration projects conducted under this title2 7ii7 have waiting lists for participants in such demonstration projects2 and 7iii7 can demonstrate the availability of non-,federal funds described in section #dje7;c77#d71 in addition to any such funds committed to any demonstration projects being conducted by the qualified entity at the time the ,secretary considers identifying the entity under subparagraph 7,a71 to be committed to the demonstration project 7or projects7 described in subparagraph 7,a7 as matching contributions2 and 7,c7 if the ,secretary identifies a qualified entity 7or entities7 under subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 transfer to the entity 7or entities7 control over the ,reserve ,fund established pursuant to section #djg with respect to the project being terminated2 and 7ii7 authorize the entity 7or entities7 to use such ,reserve ,fund to conduct a demonstration project 7or projects7 in accordance with an application approved under subsection 7e7 or 7h77#b7 of section #dje and the requirements of this title4 2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7c7 ,focus on community of terminated project ,in identifying another qualified entity 7or entities7 under paragraph 7#c7 or 7#e7 of subsection 7b71 the ,secretary shall1 to the extent practicable1 select a qualified entity 7or entities7 in the community served by the demonstration project being terminated4 4 7b7 ,effective date 7#a7 ,in general ,the amendment made by subsection 7a7 shall apply to terminations occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7#b7 ,discretionary application to previous terminations ,the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services may apply such amendment to terminations occurring within the #a-year period ending on the day before the date of the enactment of this ,act4 ,in the case of such an application1 any reference in such amendment to the date of the termination is deemed a reference to such date of enactment4 #ac4 ,evaluations ,section #dad is amended-- 7#a7 by amending subsection 7a7 to read as follows3 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may enter into one or more contracts with one or more independent research organizations to evaluate the demonstration projects conducted under this title1 individually and as a group1 including all qualified entities participating in and sources providing funds for the demonstration projects conducted under this title4 ,such contract or contracts may also provide for the evaluation of other asset-building programs and policies targeted to low-income individuals4 2 7#b7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 by striking paragraph 7#c72 7,b7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking 1 and how such effects vary among different populations or communities2 7,c7 by striking paragraphs 7#e7 and 7#f72 and 7,d7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#d7 and 7#g7 as paragraphs 7#c7 and 7#d71 respectively2 and 7#c7 in subsections 7b7 and 7c71 by inserting 7or organizations7 after research organization each place it appears4 #ad4 ,costs of training qualified entities ,the ,assets for ,independence ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjd note7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating section #daf as section #dag2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #dae the following new section3 #daf4 ,costs of training qualified entities ,if the ,secretary determines that a qualified entity conducting a demonstration project under this title should receive training in order to conduct the project in accordance with an application approved under subsection 7e7 or 7h77#b7 of section #dje or the requirements of this title1 or to otherwise successfully conduct the project1 the ,secretary may use funds appropriated under section #dah to cover the necessary costs of such training1 including the costs of travel1 accommodations1 and meals4 4 #ae4 ,waiver authority ,the ,assets for ,independence ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjd note71 as amended by section #ad of this ,act1 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating section #dag1 as so redesignated by section #ad7a7 of this ,act1 as section #dah2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #daf the following new section3 #dag4 ,waiver authority ,in order to carry out the purposes of this title1 the ,secretary may waive any requirement of this title-- 7#a7 relating to-- 7,a7 the definition of a qualified entity2 7,b7 the approval of a qualified entity to conduct a demonstration project under this title or to receive a grant under this title2 7,c7 eligibility criteria for individuals to participate in a demonstration project under this title2 7,d7 amounts or limitations with respect to-- 7i7 the matching by a qualified entity of amounts deposited by an eligible individual in the individual development account of the individual2 7ii7 the amount of funds that may be granted to a qualified entity by the ,secretary2 or 7iii7 uses by a qualified entity of the funds granted to the qualified entity by the ,secretary2 or 7,e7 the withdrawal of funds from an individual development account only for qualified expenses or as an emergency withdrawal2 or 7#b7 the waiver of which is necessary to-- 7,a7 permit the ,secretary to enter into an agreement with the ,commissioner of ,social ,security2 7,b7 allow individuals to be placed on a waiting list to participate in a demonstration project under this title2 or 7,c7 allow demonstration projects under this title to be targeted to populations described in section #dje7;h77#c77;,a7 and to successfully recruit individuals from such populations for participation4 4 #af4 ,authorization of appropriations ,section #dah1 as redesignated by section #ae7a7 of this ,act1 is amended by inserting after #bjjc the following3 and #ge1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj1 #bjba1 #bjbb1 #bjbc1 and #bjbd4 #ag4 ,conforming amendments 7a7 ,in general ,section #dad7;e7 is amended by striking section #daf and inserting section #dah4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents in section #b of the ,community ,opportunities1 ,accountability1 and ,training and ,educational ,services ,act of #aiih 7,public ,law #aje-bhe7 is amended as follows3 7#a7 ,by striking the item relating to section #daa and inserting the following new item3 ,sec4 #daa4 ,local control over demonstration projects2 regulations4 4 7#b7 ,by striking the items relating to sections #dae and #daf and inserting the following new items3 ,sec4 #dae4 ,no reduction in benefits4 ,sec4 #daf4 ,costs of training qualified entities4 ,sec4 #dag4 ,waiver authority4 ,sec4 #dah4 ,authorization of appropriations4 4 #ah4 ,general effective date ,the amendments made by sections #d through #i of this ,act shall apply to project years beginning on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act4