2016 -- S 2043

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LC003341

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

     Introduced By: Senators E O`Neill, Walaska, Cote, Ciccone, and McCaffrey

     Date Introduced: January 13, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 40-6-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 40-6 entitled "Public

Assistance Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     40-6-3. General public assistance. -- It is the purpose of this section to provide general

public assistance to any person who is a resident of the state and who is eligible, in accordance

with the rules and regulations of the department, and is in need; provided, further, that benefits

under this program shall be provided only to residents who are citizens of the United States. or

aliens lawfully Aliens admitted for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing in the

United States under color of law, and benefits shall be eligible for such assistance subsequent to

six (6) months from establishing residency in this state. Benefits shall not be provided to illegal or

undocumented aliens. In that there are limited resources available to meet the needs of the

residents of this state and recognizing that needs of certain children and families have been

provided by this state pursuant to chapter 5.1 of this title, it is the intent of this chapter that

general public assistance shall not be provided to any individual who is eligible or who would,

but for income and resources, be eligible for cash assistance pursuant to chapter 5.1 of this title

and the rules and regulations of the department. General public assistance shall not be available to

any individual who has been found eligible for supplemental security income (SSI) as provided in

§ 40-6-27, and the general public medical assistance, as provided for in this chapter, shall not be

available to any individual who has been found eligible for medical assistance as provided

pursuant to title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq., as both of these

programs are financed in part by the limited resources of this state.

     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 -- PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

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     This act would impose a six (6) month waiting period for public assistance upon legally

admitted aliens. Illegal or undocumented aliens would remain ineligible for public assistance.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC003341

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