PRINTER'S NO. 2227
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1659
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY TOBASH, PICKETT, KAUFFMAN, GROVE, COX,
BENNINGHOFF, DUNBAR, RYAN, TURZAI, SAYLOR, KAUFER, STAATS,
MILLARD, O'NEILL, A. HARRIS, WARD, ZIMMERMAN, SANKEY,
HEFFLEY, B. MILLER, GILLEN, BLOOM, PHILLIPS-HILL, MILNE,
NELSON, EVERETT AND KLUNK, JULY 11, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JULY 11, 2017
AN ACT
Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An
act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public
welfare laws of the Commonwealth," in general powers and
duties, providing for work requirements for the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known
as the Human Services Code, is amended by adding a section to
read:
Section 216. Work Requirements for the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program.--(a) The department may not apply
for, accept or renew a waiver of requirements established under
section 5 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (Public Law 88-
525, 7 U.S.C. ยง 2015(o)) without prior approval of the General
Assembly.
(b) To the extent permitted by Federal law, as a condition
of participation and continuing eligibility for food assistance,
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an adult recipient shall comply with and submit proof of
compliance with at least one of the following:
(1) The recipient has been employed for an average of at
least twenty hours per week.
(2) The recipient engaged in at least twenty-four hours of
community service per month.
(3) The recipient participates in a work program for at
least twenty hours per week.
(4) The recipient is enrolled as a full-time student in an
institution of higher education.
(c) Subsection (b) shall not apply to:
(1) An adult recipient who is a single parent with custody
of a child under the age of twelve.
(2) An adult recipient who is determined to not be an able-
bodied person capable of compliance with subsection (b), as
determined by the secretary.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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