HB2749: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; restrictions on use of cash assistance, report.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 63.2-621 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 63.2-621. Restrictions on use of TANF cash assistance.
A. Recipients of TANF benefits pursuant to this chapter shall not access TANF cash benefits through an electronic benefit transaction (i) for the purchase of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, lottery tickets, or sexually explicit visual materials as defined in § 18.2-374.1; (ii) in any transaction in any (a) government store established for the sale of alcoholic beverages, (b) establishment in which pari-mutuel wagering or charitable gaming is conducted, or (c) establishment in which tattooing or body-piercing, as defined in § 54.1-700, is performed for hire or consideration; or (iii) in any establishment that provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers or other individuals connected with the business appear nude or partially nude.
B. The Department shall report annually by December 1 to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services and the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions information regarding the number of reported violations of subsection A, including the number of reported cases involving multiple violations by a single TANF recipient. Such report may also be included in the report required pursuant to subsection E of § 63.2-503.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 63.2-621 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 63.2-621. Restrictions on use of TANF cash assistance.
A. Recipients of TANF benefits pursuant to this chapter shall not access TANF cash benefits through an electronic benefit transaction (i) for the purchase of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, lottery tickets, or sexually explicit visual materials as defined in § 18.2-374.1; (ii) in any transaction in any (a) government store established for the sale of alcoholic beverages, (b) establishment in which pari-mutuel wagering or charitable gaming is conducted, or (c) establishment in which tattooing or body-piercing, as defined in § 54.1-700, is performed for hire or consideration; or (iii) in any establishment that provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers or other individuals connected with the business appear nude or partially nude.
B. The Department shall report annually by December 1 to the General Assembly information regarding the number of reported violations of subsection A, including the number of reported cases involving multiple violations by a single TANF recipient. Such report may be included in the report required pursuant to subsection E of § 63.2-503.
HOUSE BILL NO. 2749
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 63.2-621 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 63.2-621. Restrictions on use of TANF cash assistance; penalties.
A. Recipients of TANF benefits pursuant to this chapter shall not access TANF cash benefits through an electronic benefit transaction (i) for the purchase of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, lottery tickets, or sexually explicit visual materials as defined in § 18.2-374.1; (ii) in any transaction in any (a) government store established for the sale of alcoholic beverages, (b) establishment in which pari-mutuel wagering or charitable gaming is conducted, or (c) establishment in which tattooing or body-piercing, as defined in § 54.1-700, is performed for hire or consideration; or (iii) in any establishment that provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers or other individuals connected with the business appear nude or partially nude.
B. Violations of this section shall be subject to the following penalties:
1. For the first violation, the full amount of TANF benefits for which the household is eligible shall be suspended for one calendar month;
2. For the second violation, the full amount of TANF benefits for which the household is eligible shall be suspended for three calendar months; and
3. For the third or subsequent violation, the full amount of TANF benefits for which the household is eligible shall be suspended for six calendar months.