SB27: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); time limit on receipt thereof.

SENATE BILL NO. 27
Offered January 9, 2008
Prefiled December 17, 2007
A BILL to amend and reenact § 63.2-612 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the time limit on the receipt of TANF.
Patron-- Miller, Y.B.

Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 63.2-612 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 63.2-612. Time limit on the receipt of TANF.

A. Unless otherwise exempt, VIEW participants and their families may receive TANF financial assistance for a maximum of twenty-four months only, subject to § 63.2-613. VIEW participants and their families may receive TANF financial assistance, if otherwise eligible, after a subsequent period of twenty-four months without (i) participation in VIEW, (ii) the receipt of TANF financial assistance, or (iii) the receipt of transitional assistance.

B. A minor child of a VIEW participant may continue to receive TANF financial assistance beyond the initial 24-month period if (i) the VIEW-participating parent is no longer the child's legal guardian, (ii) legal custody of the child has been placed with a relative of the child after a complaint of child abuse or neglect filed against the child's parent has been deemed founded or after an order for the removal of the child from the child's home has been issued pursuant to § 16.1-251 or 16.1-252, and (iii) the child otherwise meets the eligibility requirements set forth in §§ 63.2-602 through 63.2-607.

C. The local department shall notify a VIEW participant and his family that his TANF financial assistance is scheduled to be terminated as provided in this section. Notice shall be given sixty days prior to such termination and shall inform the VIEW participant and his family of the exception regulations adopted by the Board and the procedure to be followed by the VIEW participant and his family if he believes that he is entitled to an extension of benefits.

2.  That the provisions of this act shall not become effective unless an appropriation of general funds effectuating the purposes of this act is included in the general appropriation act passed by the 2008 General Assembly, which becomes law.