2015 -- H 5088

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LC000411

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- BONUS PROGRAM

     Introduced By: Representatives Newberry, and Edwards

     Date Introduced: January 14, 2015

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 40-6.3 of the General Laws entitled "Bonus Program" is hereby

repealed in its entirety.

CHAPTER 40-6.3

Bonus Program

     40-6.3-1. Bonus program. -- The director of human services (hereinafter referred to as

the "director") shall implement a cash bonus program for one year for welfare recipients who

have been receiving aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) for a period of at least thirty

(30) consecutive months next prior to the effective date of this chapter. The recipients agree to

forego all welfare benefits of whatever nature and return to full-time employment, except any

medical assistance coverage in conformity with rules and regulations promulgated by the director.

The program shall be limited to the first one hundred (100) recipients who choose to participate

and are otherwise qualified. Applications for the bonus program will be accepted commencing

thirty (30) days after the start of the state's fiscal year and terminating ninety (90) days after the

start of the state's fiscal year or as soon as the first one hundred (100) recipients have been

qualified for acceptance into the program.

     40-6.3-2. Disbursement of bonus. -- (a) The director is hereby authorized to approve a

maximum bonus for each qualified recipient in the sum of three thousand dollars ($3,000). The

amount shall be distributed as follows:

      (1) After the recipient completes three (3) months of continuous full-time employment,

the director shall distribute to each recipient the sum of five hundred dollars ($500);

      (2) After the recipient completes six (6) months of continuous full-time employment, the

director shall distribute to each recipient the additional sum of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750);

      (3) After the recipient completes nine (9) months of continuous full-time employment,

the director shall distribute to each recipient the additional sum of seven hundred fifty dollars

($750); and

      (4) After the recipient completes twelve (12) months of continuous full-time

employment, the director shall distribute to each recipient the additional sum of one thousand

dollars ($1,000).

      (b) In the event any recipient becomes unemployed at any time during the program, the

recipient shall forfeit receipt of any incremental payment of a bonus not fully earned at the time

of unemployment.

     40-6.3-3. Initial training and work experience. -- A participant in this program shall be

required to participate in an eight (8) week period of training and work experience. The period

shall not be included when determining the time of disbursement as set forth in § 40-6.3-2. The

training and work experience period may be "on-the-job" training conducted by the employer or

such other training and work experience as authorized by the director. A participant in this

program shall be paid, at the least, the state minimum wage during the eight (8) week period of

training and work experience.

     40-6.3-4. Private participation. -- (a) Any employer who participates in this program

shall be entitled to a two hundred fifty dollar ($250) tax credit per participant when a participant

has worked twenty-four (24) consecutive months for the employer. The eight (8) week period of

training and work experience set forth in § 40-6.3-3 shall not count when determining the twenty-

four (24) consecutive months.

      (b) During the eight (8) week training and work experience period, the state shall

subsidize the employer for wages earned by the participant. The rate of subsidy shall not exceed

the state minimum wage.

      (c) The employer shall, as soon as possible, place the participant on any medical plan or

insurance provided by the employer to any other employee at the same or similar level.

     40-6.3-5. Rules and regulations. -- The director shall promulgate such rules and

regulations as are necessary to determine the qualifications for the recipients to participate in this

pilot program, for determining the standards relating to "continuous employment," for

determining the conditions terminating participation resulting from a recipient's unemployment,

for subsidizing the wage of participants, for determining the type of eight (8) week period of

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training and work experience, for transitional medical assistance, and to otherwise effectuate this

bonus program.

     40-6.3-6. Appropriation. -- There is hereby appropriated the sum of two hundred fifty

thousand dollars ($250,000) to carry out the purpose of this chapter, and the state controller is

hereby directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the sum,

or so much thereof as may be required from time to time upon receipt by him or her of vouchers

duly authenticated.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- BONUS PROGRAM

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     This act would repeal the bonus program administered by the department of human

services.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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