S.Amdt. 2965

SA 2965. Mr. JEFFORDS (for himself, Mr. Smith, Ms. Collins, Mr. Chafee, and Mr. Rockefeller) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 4, to reauthorize and improve the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families, improve access to quality child care, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 216, between lines 19 and 20, insert the following:

“(G) State option to receive credit for recipients who are determined by appropriate agencies working in coordination to have a disability and to be in need of specialized activities.--

“(i) In general.--At the option of the State, if the State agency responsible for administering the State program funded under this part works in collaboration or has a referral relationship with other governmental or private agencies with expertise in disability determination or appropriate services plans for adults with disabilities (including agencies that receive funds under this part), and one of those entities determines that an individual described in clause (iv) is not able to meet the State's full work requirements after the periods applicable under paragraph (1)(C) because of the individual's disability and continuing need for rehabilitative services, then for purposes of determining monthly participation rates under subsection (b)(1)(B)(i) the State may receive credit in accordance with clause (ii) for certain activities undertaken with respect to the individual.

“(ii) Credit for activities undertaken through collaborative agency process.--Subject to clause (iii), if the State undertakes to provide services for an individual to which clause (i) applies through a collaborative process that includes governmental or private agencies with expertise in disability determination or appropriate services for adults with disabilities, the State shall be credited for purposes of the monthly participation rate determined under subsection (b)(1)(B)(i) with the lesser of--

“(I) the sum of the number of hours the individual participates in an activity described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), or (12) of subsection (d) for the month and the number of hours that the individual participates in rehabilitation services under this subparagraph for the month; or

“(II) twice the number of hours the individual participates in an activity described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), or (12) of subsection (d) for the month.

“(iii) Limitation.--A State shall not receive credit under clause (ii) towards the monthly participation rate under subsection (b)(1)(B)(i) unless the State reviews the disability determination of an individual to which clause (i) applies and the activities in which the individual is participating not less than every 6 months.

“(iv) Individual described.--For purposes of this subparagraph, an individual described in this clause is an individual who the State has determined has a disability and would benefit from participating in rehabilitative services while combining such participation with other work activities.

“(v) Definition of disability.--In this subparagraph, the term ‘disability' means a physical or mental impairment, including substance abuse, that--

“(I) constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment; or

“(II) substantially limits 1 or more major life activities.”.