February 21, 2001, Introduced by Senators GOSCHKA, GOUGEON, JOHNSON, SMITH and MC MANUS and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
EXECUTIVE BUDGET BILL
A bill to make appropriations for the family independence agency and certain state purposes related to public welfare services for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002; to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations; to create funds; to provide for the imposition of fees; to provide for reports; to provide for the disposition of fees and other income received by the state agency; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain individuals, local governments, and state departments, agencies, and officers.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
PART 1
LINE-ITEM APPROPRIATIONS
Sec. 101. Subject to the conditions set forth in this bill, the amounts listed in this part are appropriated for the family independence agency and certain state purposes related to public welfare services for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002, from the funds indicated in this part. The following is a summary of the appropriations in this part:
FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY
APPROPRIATIONS SUMMARY:
Full-time equated unclassified positions 6.0
Full-time equated classified positions 13,499.6
GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 3,660,237,700
Interdepartmental grant revenues:
Total interdepartmental grants and
intradepartment transfers 965,300
ADJUSTED GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 3,659,272,400
Federal revenues:
Total federal revenues 2,306,346,150
Special revenue funds:
Total local revenues 90,443,200
Total private revenues 9,510,650
Total state restricted revenues 53,233,900
State general fund/general purpose $1,199,738,500
Sec. 102. EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS
Full-time equated unclassified positions 6.0
Full-time equated classified positions 921.3
Unclassified salaries--6.0 FTE positions $ 502,100
Salaries and wages--692.3 FTE positions 36,964,600
Contractual services, supplies, and materials 10,313,300
Demonstration projects--13.0 FTE positions 7,427,700
End user support 9,036,300
Computer service fees 27,154,100
Client services system--25.0 FTE positions 25,567,800
Data system enhancement--23.0 FTE positions 22,526,400
Child support automation--28.0 FTE positions 102,261,100
Child support distribution computer system--8.0
FTE positions 17,150,300
Supplemental security income advocates, salaries
and wages--16.0 FTE positions 1,047,700
Commission on disability concerns--8.0 FTE
positions 952,100
Commission for the blind--108.0 FTE positions 17,987,700
GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 278,891,200
Appropriated from:
Interdepartmental grant revenues:
IDG-ADP user fees 150,000
ADJUSTED GROSS APPROPRIATION $278,741,200
Federal revenues:
Total federal revenues 180,047,400
Special revenue funds:
Total local revenues 475,000
Total private revenues 1,840,000
Total other state restricted revenues 477,300
State general fund/general purpose $ 95,901,500
Sec. 103. FAMILY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Full-time equated classified positions 438.0
Salaries and wages--299.0 FTE positions $ 14,959,700
Contractual services, supplies, and materials 5,776,500
Child support incentive payments 32,409,600
Legal support contracts 125,896,400
State incentive payments 4,449,000
Employment and training support services 13,601,700
Project zero--84.0 FTE positions 12,087,200
Wage employment verification reporting--2.0
FTE positions 3,170,200
Urban and rural empowerment/enterprise zones 100
Training and staff development--53.0 FTE positions 10,752,200
Community services block grant 21,400,000
GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 244,502,600
Appropriated from:
Federal revenues:
Total federal revenues 220,736,200
Special revenue funds:
Local funds - donated funds 340,000
State general fund/general purpose $ 23,426,400
Sec. 104. CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES
Full-time equated classified positions 104.3
Salaries and wages--43.3 FTE positions $ 2,738,600
Contractual services, supplies, and materials 1,683,500
Refugee assistance program--5.0 FTE positions 7,400,900
Foster care payments 186,476,400
Wayne county foster care payments 124,463,100
Adoption subsidies 180,071,300
Adoption support services--9.0 FTE positions 12,590,600
Youth in transition--10.0 FTE positions 13,347,600
Interstate compact 300,000
Children's benefit fund donations 21,000
Domestic violence prevention and treatment--6.0
FTE positions 13,138,800
Teenage parent counseling--4.0 FTE positions 4,424,800
Family preservation and prevention
services--20.0 FTE positions 78,902,400
Black child and family institute 100,000
Rape prevention and services 2,600,000
Children's trust fund administration--7.0 FTE
positions 469,900
Children's trust fund grants 3,615,000
Attorney general contract 2,458,700
Guardian contract 600,000
Prosecuting attorney contract 1,061,700
GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 636,464,300
Appropriated from:
Federal revenues:
Total federal revenues 365,742,300
Special revenue funds:
Local funds - county payback 43,069,200
Private - children's benefit fund donations 21,000
Private - collections 5,033,900 Children's trust fund 2,119,700
State general fund/general purpose $ 220,478,200
Sec. 105. JUVENILE JUSTICE SERVICES
Full-time equated classified positions 1,234.1
Personnel payroll costs--855.4 FTE positions $ 54,976,300
County juvenile officers 3,874,500
Child care fund 110,900,000
Child care fund administration--7.5 FTE positions 884,000
Juvenile justice operations 16,422,400
Professional mental health services--33.0 FTE
positions 3,318,400
Community juvenile justice centers--87.5 FTE
positions 6,940,000 Federally funded activities--12.0 FTE positions 1,860,800
W.J. Maxey memorial fund 45,000
Regional detention and treatment--225.7 FTE
positions 15,314,600
Regional detention services--5.0 FTE positions 1,900,200
Juvenile accountability incentive block
grant--4.0 FTE positions 7,741,600
Juvenile boot camp program 1,600,000
Committee on juvenile justice
administration--4.0 FTE positions 462,100
Committee on juvenile justice grants 5,000,000
GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 231,239,900
Appropriated from:
Federal revenues:
Total federal revenues 35,372,100
Special revenue funds:
Local funds - county payback 46,061,500
Total private revenues 45,000
State general fund/general purpose $ 149,761,300
Sec. 106. LOCAL OFFICE STAFF AND OPERATIONS
Full-time equated classified positions 10,161.9
Field staff, salaries and wages--7,184.5 FTE
positions $ 299,953,300
Children and adult services, salaries and wages--
2,826.9 FTE positions 121,892,800
Contractual services, supplies, and materials 30,267,300
Outstationed eligibility workers--60.0 FTE
positions 5,133,600
Wayne County gifts and bequests 100,000
Volunteer services and reimbursement--90.5 FTE
positions 7,415,500
GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 464,762,500
Appropriated from:
Federal revenues:
Total federal revenues 283,735,200
Special revenue funds:
Local funds - donated funds 193,100
Private funds - hospital contributions 2,470,750
Private - Wayne county gifts 100,000
State general fund/general purpose $ 178,263,450
Sec. 107. DISABILITY DETERMINATION SERVICES
Full-time equated classified positions 628.0
Disability determination operations--602.0 FTE
positions $ 70,371,700
Medical consultation program--21.0 FTE positions 1,803,600
Retirement disability determination--5.0 FTE
positions 624,200
GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 72,799,500
Appropriated from:
Interdepartmental grant revenues:
Interdepartmental grant from the department of management
and budget-office of retirement systems 815,300
ADJUSTED GROSS APPROPRIATION $71,984,200
Federal revenues:
Total federal revenues 69,795,400
Special revenue funds:
State general fund/general purpose $ 2,188,800
Sec. 108. CENTRAL SUPPORT ACCOUNTS
Rent $ 48,825,500
Occupancy charge 13,618,600
Travel 7,880,500
Equipment 3,052,900
Workers' compensation 5,247,000
Advisory commissions 17,900
Payroll taxes and fringe benefits 174,080,900
GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 252,723,300
Appropriated from:
Federal revenues:
Total federal revenues 142,978,150
Special revenue funds:
Local funds - county payback 304,400
State general fund/general purpose $ 109,440,750
Sec. 109. PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
Full-time equated classified positions 12.0
Family independence program $ 306,700,000
Transitional work support 15,000,000
Homestead property tax credit for low income
families 27,000,000
State disability assistance payments 20,017,600
Food stamp program benefits 415,018,300
State supplementation 60,933,300
State supplementation administration 2,383,300
Low income energy assistance program--10.0 FTE
positions 67,047,300
State emergency relief--2.0 FTE positions 42,583,400
Weatherization assistance 10,900,000
Day care services 517,300,000
GROSS APPROPRIATION $ 1,484,883,200
Appropriated from:
Federal revenues:
Total federal revenues 1,007,939,400
Special revenue funds:
Child support collections 43,232,100
Supplemental security income recoveries 5,104,800
Public assistance recoupment revenue 2,300,000
State general fund/general purpose $ 426,306,900
Sec. 110. BUDGETARY SAVINGS
Budgetary savings $ (6,028,800)
GROSS APPROPRIATION $ (6,028,800)
Appropriated from:
Special revenue funds:
State general fund/general purpose $ (6,028,800)
GENERAL SECTIONS
Sec. 201. Pursuant to section 30 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending from state resources under part 1 for fiscal year 2001-2002 is $1,252,972,400.00 and state spending from state resources to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2001-2002 is $173,938,400.00. The itemized statement below identifies appropriations from which spending to units of local government will occur:
FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY
CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES
Adoption subsidies $68,906,500
JUVENILE JUSTICE SERVICES
Child Care Fund 100,900,000
County Juvenile Officers 2,973,200
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
State disability program 1,158,700
TOTAL $ 173,938,400
Sec. 202. The appropriations authorized under this bill are subject to the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1101 to 18.1594.
Sec. 203. As used in this act:
(a) "ADP" means automated data processing.
(b) "Department" means the family independence agency.
(c) "FTE" means full-time equated.
(d) "IDG" means interdepartmental grant.
(e) "Temporary assistance for needy families" (TANF) or "title IV" means title IV of the social security act, chapter 531, 49 Stat. 620, 42 U.S.C. 601 to 603, 604 to 608, 609 to 619, 620 to 629e, 651 to 660, 663 to 669b, 670 to 673, 673b, 674 to 679, 679b, and 681 to 687.
Sec. 204. The department of civil service shall bill departments and agencies at the end of the first fiscal quarter for the 1% charge authorized by section 5 of article XI of the state constitution of 1963. Payments shall be made for the total amount of the billing by the end of the second fiscal quarter.
Sec. 205. (1) In addition to the funds appropriated in part 1, there is appropriated an amount not to exceed $200,000,000.00 for federal contingency funds. These funds are not available for expenditure until they have been transferred to another line item in this bill under section 393(2) of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1393.
(2) In addition to the funds appropriated in part 1, there is appropriated an amount not to exceed $5,000,000.00 for state restricted contingency funds. These funds are not available for expenditure until they have been transferred to another line item in this bill under section 393(2) of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1393.
(3) In addition to the funds appropriated in part 1, there is appropriated an amount not to exceed $20,000,000.00 for local contingency funds. These funds are not available for expenditure until they have been transferred to another line item in this bill under section 393(2) of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1393.
(4) In addition to the funds appropriated in part 1, there is appropriated an amount not to exceed $20,000,000.00 for private contingency funds. These funds are not available for expenditure until they have been transferred to another line item in this bill under section 393(2) of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1393.
Sec. 206. Unless otherwise specified, the department shall use the Internet to fulfill the reporting requirements of this bill. This may include transmission of reports via electronic mail to the recipients identified for each reporting requirement, or it may include placement of reports on an Internet or Intranet site. Quarterly, the department shall provide to the appropriations subcommittee members, state budget office, and the fiscal agencies an electronic and paper copy listing of the reports submitted during the most recent 3-month period along with the Internet or Intranet site of each report, if any.
Sec. 207. (1) A hiring freeze is imposed on the state classified civil service. State departments and agencies are prohibited from hiring any new full-time state classified civil service employees and prohibited from filling any vacant state classified civil service positions. This hiring freeze does not apply to internal transfers of classified employees from one position to another within a department.
(2) The state budget director shall grant exceptions to this hiring freeze when the state budget director believes that the hiring freeze will result in rendering a state department or agency unable to deliver basic services, cause loss of revenue to the state, result in the inability of the state to receive federal funds, or would necessitate additional expenditures that exceed any savings from maintaining a vacancy. The state budget director shall report by the thirtieth of each month to the chairpersons of the senate and house standing committees on appropriations the number of exceptions to the hiring freeze approved during the previous month and the reasons to justify the exception.
Sec. 208. (1) The negative appropriation for budgetary savings in part 1 shall be satisfied by savings from the hiring freeze imposed in section 207 and, if necessary, by other savings identified by the department director and approved by the state budget director.
(2) Appropriation authorizations shall be adjusted after the approval of transfers by the legislature pursuant to section 393(2) of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1393.
Sec. 209. The department may receive and expend advances or reimbursements from the department of state police for the administration of the individual and family grant disaster assistance program. An account shall be established in the department for this purpose when a disaster is declared. The authorization and allotment for the account shall be in the amount advanced or reimbursed from the department of state police.
Sec. 210. In addition to funds appropriated in part 1 for all programs and services, there is appropriated for write-offs of accounts receivable, deferrals, and for prior year obligations in excess of applicable prior year appropriations, an amount equal to total write-offs and prior year obligations, but not to exceed amounts available in prior year revenues or current year revenues that are in excess of the authorized amount.
Sec. 211. The department may retain all of the state's share of food stamp overissuance collections as an offset to general fund/general purpose costs. Retained collections shall be applied against federal funds deductions in all appropriation units where department costs related to the investigation and recoupment of food stamp overissuances are incurred. Retained collections in excess of such costs shall be applied against the federal funds deducted in the executive operations appropriation unit.
Sec. 212. If a legislative objective of this bill or the social welfare act, 1939 PA 280, MCL 400.1 to 400.119b, cannot be implemented without loss of federal financial participation because implementation would conflict with or violate federal regulations, the department shall notify the house and senate appropriations committees and the house and senate fiscal agencies of that fact.
Sec. 213. (1) The department shall prepare a semiannual report on the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) federal block grant. The report shall include projected expenditures for the current fiscal year, an accounting of any previous year funds carried forward, and a summary of all interdepartmental or interagency agreements relating to the use of TANF funds. The report shall be forwarded to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on the family independence agency budget on or before October 15, 2001 and April 15, 2002.
(2) The state budget director shall give prior written notice to the members of the house and senate appropriations subcommittees for the family independence agency and to the house and senate fiscal agencies of any proposed changes in utilization or distribution of TANF funding or the distribution of TANF maintenance of effort spending relative to the amounts reflected in the annual appropriations acts of all state agencies where TANF funding is appropriated.
Sec. 214. If the revenue collected by the department from private and local sources exceeds the amount appropriated in part 1, the revenue may be carried forward, with approval from the state budget director, into the subsequent fiscal year.
Sec. 215. The family independence agency, with the approval of the state budget director, is authorized to realign sources of financing authorizations in 1999 PA 135 in order to maximize temporary assistance for needy families' maintenance of effort countable expenditures. This realignment of financing shall not be made until 15 days after notifying the chairs of the house and senate appropriations subcommittees of the family independence agency budget and house and senate fiscal agencies, and shall not produce an increase or decrease in any line-item expenditure authorization.
EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS
Sec. 301. The department may distribute cash assistance to recipients electronically by using debit cards.
Sec. 302. The appropriation in part 1 for the Michigan commission for the blind includes funds for case services. These funds may be used for tuition payments for blind clients for the school year beginning September 2001.
Sec. 303. The appropriation in part 1 for commissions and boards may be used for per diem payments to members of commissions or boards for a full day of committee work at which a quorum is present for performing official business as authorized by each respective commission or board. The per diem payment for the Michigan commission for the blind shall be at a rate of $50.00 per day.
FAMILY INDEPENDENCE SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Sec. 401. (1) From the federal money received for child support incentive payments, up to $4,365,200.00 shall be retained by the state and expended for legal support contracts, state incentive payments, and salaries and wages for office of child support staff.
(2) At the end of the current fiscal year, the department may, when it is cost beneficial to the state and counties, withhold from submitting to the federal office of child support administrative expenses eligible for federal financial participation. The department may recoup earned but unclaimed federal funds from the resulting increased federal child support incentive. The recoupment by the department shall be made prior to distribution of the increased incentive to the counties. Any incentive funds retained by the state under this section shall be separate and apart from incentive funds retained in any other section of this bill.
(3) The department is authorized to impose financial penalties upon counties that are not in compliance with the child support enforcement system letter of agreement and counties that have not implemented the child support enforcement system and do not cooperate with the department in its implementation activities.
(4) In addition to the amount specified in section (1), the family independence agency may retain any federal Title IV-D incentive payment revenues withheld from counties pursuant to the imposition of financial penalties, and may use the federal revenues retained for any child support program purpose.
Sec. 402. Not later than September 30 of each year, the department shall submit for public hearing to the chairpersons of the house and senate appropriations subcommittees dealing with appropriations for the family independence agency the proposed use and distribution plan for community services block grant funds appropriated in part 1 for the succeeding fiscal year.
Sec. 403. The department shall develop a plan based on recommendations from the department of civil rights, and Indian organizations such as the Michigan urban Indian consortium as the central representative of all human service-oriented off-reservation Indian organizations and the inter-tribal council of Michigan to assure that the community services block grant funds are equitably distributed. The plan must be developed by October 31, 2001.
Sec. 404. The state general fund/general purpose contribution related to the Wayne County third circuit court cooperative reimbursement contract resides in the judiciary budget. There are no general fund/general purpose funds appropriated for this purpose in the family independence agency budget.
Sec. 405. If title IV-D-related child support collections are escheated, the state budget director is authorized to adjust the sources of financing for the funds appropriated in part 1 for legal support contracts to reduce federal authorization by 66% of the escheated amount and increase general fund/general purpose authorization by the same amount. This budget adjustment is required to offset the loss of federal revenue due to the escheated amount being counted as title IV-D program income in accordance with federal regulations at 45 C.F.R. 304.50.
Sec. 406. (1) Of the funds appropriated in part 1 for community services block grants, $2,000,000.00 represents TANF funding earmarked for community action agencies.
(2) From the funds appropriated in section 103 for community services block grants, the department is authorized to make allocations of TANF funds only to the community action agencies that report necessary data to the department for the purpose of meeting TANF eligibility reporting requirements. The use of TANF funds under this section should not be considered an ongoing commitment of funding.
CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES
Sec. 501. The following goal is established by state law. During the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002, not more than 3,000 children supervised by the department shall remain in foster care longer than 24 months. The department shall give priority to reducing the number of children under 1 year of age in foster care.
Sec. 502. From the funds appropriated in part 1 for foster care, the department shall provide 50% reimbursement to Indian tribal governments for foster care expenditures for children who are under the jurisdiction of Indian tribal courts and who are not otherwise eligible for federal foster care cost sharing.
Sec. 503. The department shall continue adoption subsidy payments to families after the eighteenth birthday of an adoptee who meets the following criteria:
(a) Has not yet graduated from high school or passed a high school equivalency examination.
(b) Is making progress toward completing high school.
(c) Has not yet reached his or her twenty-first birthday.
Sec. 504. The department's ability to satisfy appropriation deducts in part 1 for foster care private collections shall not be limited to collections and accruals pertaining to services provided only in the current fiscal year but shall include revenues collected during the fiscal year in excess of the amount specified in part 1.
Sec. 505. (1) In addition to the amount appropriated in part 1, money granted or money received as gifts or donations to the children's trust fund created by 1982 PA 249, MCL 21.171 to 21.172, is appropriated for expenditure in an amount not to exceed $800,000.00.
(2) The state child abuse and neglect prevention board may initiate a joint project with another state agency to the extent that the project supports the programmatic goals of both the state child abuse and neglect prevention board and the state agency. The department may invoice the state agency for shared costs of a joint project in an amount authorized by the state agency, and the state child abuse and neglect prevention board may receive and expend funds for shared costs of a joint project in addition to those authorized by part 1.
Sec. 506. (1) From the funds appropriated in part 1, the department shall not expend funds to preserve or reunite a family, unless there is a court order requiring the preservation or reuniting of the family or the court denies the petition, if either of the following would result:
(a) A child would be living in the same household with a parent or other adult who has been convicted of criminal sexual conduct against a child.
(b) A child would be living in the same household with a parent or other adult against whom there is a substantiated charge of sexual abuse against a child.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), this section shall not prohibit counseling or other services provided by the department, if the service is not directed toward influencing the child to remain in an abusive environment, justifying the actions of the abuser, or reuniting the family.
Sec. 507. From the funds appropriated in part 1 for foster care payments, the department may expend up to $1,500,000.00 for foster care pilot projects that include ways to increase foster parent recruitment, improve foster parent retention, and increase delivery of training and supportive services to foster parents.
Sec. 508. From the funds appropriated in part 1 for foster care payments and related administrative costs, the department may implement the federally approved title IV-E child welfare waiver managed care demonstration project.
Sec. 509. (1) It is the intent of the legislature that the funds appropriated in part 1 for family preservation and prevention services in the 2001-2002 fiscal year reflect strong families/safe children allocations to local multipurpose collaborative bodies that are no less than the allocations in effect on April 1, 1997.
(2) In order to maintain this level of funding, the department may use up to $8,000,000.00 in TANF funds provided that the local multipurpose collaborative bodies submit data to the department that will enable the department to document potential federal claimable expenditures.
(3) No later than March 1, 2002, each local multipurpose collaborative body shall submit a report to the department that includes the number of people receiving strong families/safe children services, the local goals for this program, and a measure of the effectiveness in meeting these goals.
Sec. 510. From the funds appropriated in part 1 for foster care payments, Wayne County foster care payments and adoption subsidies, the department shall increase the rate of payments for foster parents and parents receiving adoption subsidies by 2% beginning with the first pay period in October, 2001.
Sec. 511. From the funds appropriated in part 1 for youth in transition, domestic violence prevention and treatment, teenage parent counseling, and boys and girls clubs program within family preservation and prevention services, the department is authorized to make allocations of TANF funds only to the agencies that report necessary data to the department for the purpose of meeting TANF eligibility reporting requirements. The use of TANF funds under this section should not be considered an ongoing commitment of funding.
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
Sec. 601. (1) The department may terminate a vendor payment for shelter upon written notice from the appropriate local unit of government that a recipient's rental unit is not in compliance with applicable local housing codes or when the landlord is delinquent on property tax payments. A landlord shall be considered to be in compliance with local housing codes when the department receives from the landlord a signed statement stating that the rental unit is in compliance with local housing codes and that statement is not contradicted by the recipient and the local housing authority. The department shall terminate vendor payments if a taxing authority notifies the department that taxes are delinquent.
(2) Whenever a client agrees to the release of his or her name and address to the local housing authority, the department shall request from the local housing authority information regarding whether the housing unit for which vendoring has been requested meets applicable local housing codes. Vendoring shall be terminated for those units that the local authority indicates in writing do not meet local housing codes until such time as the local authority indicates in writing that local housing codes have been met.
(3) In order to participate in the rent vendoring programs of the department, a landlord shall cooperate in weatherization and conservation efforts directed by the department or by an energy provider participating in an agreement with the department when the landlord's property has been identified as needing services.
Sec. 602. The department, together with other agencies, may establish special projects to provide special needs shelter payment levels for the family independence program that will support the development of transitional shelter facilities for homeless families. These facilities are to provide supportive services to families and to support the development of permanent low-income housing.
Sec. 603. (1) The department, as it determines is appropriate, shall enter into agreements with energy providers by which cash assistance recipients and the energy providers agree to permit the department to make direct payments to the energy providers on behalf of the recipient. The payments may include heat and electric payment requirements from recipient grants and amounts in excess of the payment requirements.
(2) The department shall establish caps for natural gas, wood, electric heat service, deliverable fuel heat services, and for electric service based on available federal funds.
(3) The department shall negotiate with positive billing utility companies to develop extended payment plans. Such plans shall allow clients who terminate from positive billing due to increased income to make monthly payments in order to gradually liquidate utility arrears.
Sec. 604. (1) The department shall operate a state disability assistance program. Except as provided in subsection (3), persons eligible for this program shall include needy citizens of the United States or aliens exempted from the supplemental security income citizenship requirement who are at least 18 years of age or emancipated minors meeting 1 or more of the following requirements:
(a) A recipient of supplemental security income, social security, or medical assistance due to disability or 65 years of age or older.
(b) A person with a physical or mental impairment which meets federal supplemental security income disability standards, except that the minimum duration of the disability shall be 90 days. Substance abuse alone is not defined as a basis for eligibility.
(c) A resident of an adult foster care facility, a home for the aged, a county infirmary, or a substance abuse treatment center.
(d) A person receiving 30-day postresidential substance abuse treatment.
(e) A person diagnosed as having acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
(f) A person receiving special education services through the local intermediate school district.
(g) A caretaker of a disabled person as defined in subdivision (a), (b), (e), or (f) above.
(2) Applicants for and recipients of the state disability assistance program shall be considered needy if they:
(a) Meet the same asset test as is applied to applicants for the family independence program.
(b) Have a monthly budgetable income that is less than the payment standards.
(3) Except for a person described in subsection (1)(c) or (d), a person is not disabled for purposes of this section if his or her drug addiction or alcoholism is a contributing factor material to the determination of disability. "Material to the determination of disability" means that, if the person stopped using drugs or alcohol, his or her remaining physical or mental limitations would not be disabling. If his or her remaining physical or mental limitations would be disabling, then the drug addiction or alcoholism is not material to the determination of disability and the person may receive state disability assistance. Such a person must actively participate in a substance abuse treatment program, and the assistance must be paid to a third party or through vendor payments. For purposes of this section, substance abuse treatment includes receipt of inpatient or outpatient services or participation in alcoholics anonymous or a similar program.
(4) A refugee or asylee who loses his or her eligibility for the federal supplemental security income program by virtue of exceeding the maximum time limit for eligibility as delineated in section 402 of title IV of the personal responsibility and work opportunity reconciliation act of 1996, Public Law 104-193, 8 U.S.C. 1612, and who otherwise meets the eligibility criteria under this section shall be eligible to receive benefits under the state disability assistance program.
Sec. 605. The level of reimbursement provided to state disability assistance recipients in licensed adult foster care facilities shall be the same as the prevailing supplemental security income rate under the personal care category.
Sec. 606. County family independence agencies shall require each recipient of state disability assistance who has applied with the social security administration for supplemental security income to sign a contract to repay any assistance rendered through the state disability assistance program upon receipt of retroactive supplemental security income benefits.
Sec. 607. The department's ability to satisfy appropriation deductions in part 1 for state disability assistance/ supplemental security income recoveries and public assistance recoupment revenues shall not be limited to recoveries and accruals pertaining to state disability assistance, or family independence assistance grant payments provided only in the current fiscal year, but shall include all related net recoveries received during the current fiscal year.
Sec. 608. Adult foster care facilities providing domiciliary care or personal care to residents receiving supplemental security income or homes for the aged serving residents receiving supplemental security income shall not require those residents to reimburse the home or facility for care at rates in excess of those legislatively authorized. To the extent permitted by federal law, adult foster care facilities and homes for the aged serving residents receiving supplemental security income shall not be prohibited from accepting third-party payments in addition to supplemental security income provided that the payments are not for food, clothing, shelter, or result in a reduction in the recipient's supplemental security income payment.
Sec. 609. In developing good cause criteria for the state emergency relief program, the department shall grant exemptions if the emergency resulted from unexpected expenses related to maintaining or securing employment.
Sec. 610. (1) The department shall not require providers of burial services to accept state payment for indigent burials as payments in full. Providers shall be permitted to collect additional payment, not to exceed $2,300.00, from relatives or other persons on behalf of the deceased.
(2) Any additional payment collected pursuant to subsection (1) shall not increase the maximum charge limit for state payment as established by law.
Sec. 611. For purposes of determining housing affordability eligibility for state emergency relief, a group is considered to have sufficient income to meet ongoing housing expenses if their total housing obligation does not exceed 75% of their total net income.
Sec. 612. From the funds appropriated in part 1 for state emergency relief, the maximum allowable charge limit for indigent burials shall be $1,460.00. It is the intent of the legislature that this charge limit reflect a maximum payment to funeral directors of $910.00 for funeral goods and services and a maximum payment to cemeteries or crematoriums of $350.00 for cemetery goods and services. In addition, a maximum payment of $200.00 shall be distributed to either the funeral director or cemetery, whoever provides the burial vault.
Sec. 613. The funds available pursuant to this section shall be available if the deceased was an eligible recipient and an application for emergency relief funds was made within 10 days of the burial or cremation of the deceased person. Each provider of burial services shall be paid directly by the department.
Sec. 614. Except as required by federal law or regulations, funds appropriated in part 1 shall not be used to provide public assistance to a person who is an illegal alien. This section shall not prohibit the department from entering into contracts with food banks or emergency shelter providers who may, as a normal part of doing business, provide food or emergency shelter to individuals.
Sec. 615. (1) The appropriation in part 1 for the weatherization program shall be expended in such a manner that at least 25% of the households weatherized under the program shall be households of families receiving family independence assistance, state disability assistance, food stamps, or supplemental security income.
(2) Any unencumbered balances of the weatherization program shall not lapse and may be carried forward to fiscal year 2003.
Sec. 616. In operating the family independence program with funds appropriated in part 1, the department shall not approve as a minor parent's adult supervised household a living arrangement in which the minor parent lives with his or her partner as the supervising adult.
Sec. 617. The department may reduce, terminate, or suspend assistance provided under the social welfare act, 1939 PA 280, MCL 400.1 to 400.119b, without prior notice in 1 or more of the following situations:
(a) The only eligible recipient has died.
(b) A recipient member of a program group or family independence assistance group has died.
(c) A recipient child is removed from his or her family home by court action.
(d) A recipient requests in writing that his or her assistance be reduced, terminated, or suspended.
(e) A recipient has intentionally violated 1 or more of the requirements of the social welfare act, 1939 PA 280, MCL 400.1 to 400.119b.
(f) A recipient has been approved to receive assistance in another state.
(g) A change in either state or federal law that requires automatic grant adjustments for classes of recipients.
Sec. 618. The department shall exempt from the denial of title IV-A assistance and food stamp benefits, contained in section 115 of title I of the personal responsibility and work opportunity reconciliation act of 1996, Public Law 104-193, 21 U.S.C. 862a, any individual who has been convicted of a felony that included the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance, after August 22, 1996, provided that the individual is not in violation of his or her probation or parole requirements. Benefits shall be provided to such individuals as follows:
(a) A third-party payee or vendor shall be required for any cash benefits provided.
(b) An authorized representative shall be required for food stamp receipt.
Sec. 619. Funds appropriated in part 1 may be used to support multicultural assimilation and support services. The department shall distribute all of the funds described in this section based on assessed community needs.
Sec. 620. The department shall maintain a plan to provide for the implementation of individual development accounts pursuant to section 57k of the social welfare act, 1939 PA 280, MCL 400.57k, by individuals who apply for or receive public assistance from the department.
Sec. 621. The department in collaboration with the Michigan state university center for urban affairs and its partner organizations, the Michigan credit union league and the national federation of community development credit unions, shall further the work begun in fiscal year 1999-2000 that implemented the individual development accounts programs in the growing number of low-income designated credit unions, i.e., community development credit unions (CDCUs) located in this state's poorest communities. This further work will extend capacity-building and technical assistance services to existing and emerging CDCUs serving low-income populations and will include:
(a) Creation of a Michigan-based support system for the capacity-building of existing and emerging CDCUs serving low-income individuals and families, including development and testing of training, technical assistance, and professional development initiatives and related materials, and other capacity-building services to Michigan CDCUs.
(b) Other related support to assist existing and emerging CDCUs in becoming self-supporting institutions to assist impoverished Michigan residents in becoming economically independent.
(c) Training and technical assistance to CDCUs in the development of support services, such as economic literacy, credit counseling, budget counseling, and asset management programs for low-income individuals and families.
Sec. 622. The department shall maintain policies and procedures to achieve all of the following:
(a) The identification of individuals on entry into the system who have a history of domestic violence, while maintaining the confidentiality of that information.
(b) Referral of persons so identified to counseling and supportive services.
(c) In accordance with a determination of good cause, the waiving of certain requirements of family independence programs where compliance with those requirements would make it more difficult for the individual to escape domestic violence or would unfairly penalize individuals who have been victims of domestic violence or who are at risk of further domestic violence.
Sec. 623. (1) From the funds appropriated in part 1 for the family independence program, the family independence agency shall expend up to $250,000.00 to develop and fund a parenting skills and career development pilot program that meets all of the following criteria:
(a) Identification of single parents eligible for cash assistance having children up to 3 years old.
(b) Referral of persons identified under subdivision (a) to a local collaborative program responsible for the development and supervision of a comprehensive parenting skills and career development plan for each referred client.
(c) Each referred client shall participate in 20 hours a week of parenting skills training that is a formal professional program with either a trainer or facilitator and career development activities as detailed in his or her comprehensive plan and monitored by the local collaborative program.
(d) Participation in the above activities for the hours specified would satisfy cash assistance work requirements.
(e) The program must not place the state of Michigan in violation of work requirements as defined in the federal personal responsibility and work opportunity reconciliation act of 1996, Public Law 104-193.
(2) The local collaborative program shall provide the department with a report not later than September 30, 2002 that includes all of the following:
(a) The number of participants served.
(b) The family size of participants served.
(c) Participants' rate of compliance with their comprehensive plans.
(d) The number of participants attending postsecondary education or vocational training programs.
(e) Parenting skills training outcomes.
(f) The number of participants working at the time the report is completed.
(g) The average cost per participant of the program.
(h) Any other information that the department considers relevant.
Sec. 624. Within 6 business days of receiving all information necessary to process an application for payments for child day care, the family independence agency shall determine whether the child day care provider to whom the payments, if approved, would be made, is listed on the child abuse and neglect central registry. If the provider is listed on the central registry, the family independence agency shall immediately send written notice denying the applicant's request for child day care payments.
Sec. 625. From the funds appropriated in part 1 for day care services, the family independence agency shall expend up to $8,000,000.00 to provide infant-toddler incentive payments to child day care providers serving children from 0 to 2-1/2 years of age. The use of funds under this section should not be considered an ongoing commitment of funding.
Sec. 626. As a condition of receipt of federal TANF funds, homeless shelters shall collaborate with the family independence agency to obtain necessary TANF eligibility information on families as soon as possible after admitting a family to the homeless shelter. From the funds appropriated in part 1 for homeless shelters within state emergency relief, the department is authorized to make allocations of TANF funds only to the agencies that report necessary data to the department for the purpose of meeting TANF eligibility reporting requirements. Homeless shelters that do not report necessary data to the department for the purpose of meeting TANF eligibility reporting requirements will not receive reimbursements which exceed the per diem amount they received in fiscal year 2000. The use of TANF funds under this section should not be considered an ongoing commitment of funding.
Sec. 627. Effective October 1, 2000, from the funds in part 1, the department shall increase the lifetime limit for non-energy-related home repairs to $1,750.00.
Sec. 628. An individual or family is considered homeless, for purposes of eligibility for state emergency relief, if living temporarily with others in order to escape domestic violence. For purposes of this section, domestic violence is defined and verified in the same manner as in the family independence agency's policies on good cause for not cooperating with child support and paternity requirements.
Sec. 629. From the funds appropriated in part 1 for assistance payments, the department shall continue to make assistance payments to recipients beyond the federal 5-year limit set under the personal responsibility and work opportunity reconciliation act of 1996, Public Law 104-193, 110 Stat. 2105, providing the recipient is complying with asset, income, and participation standards set as a condition of eligibility to receive assistance.
Sec. 630. From the funds appropriated in part 1 for food stamps, an individual who is the victim of domestic violence and does not qualify for any other exemption may be exempt from the 3-month in 36-month limit on receiving food stamps under section 6(o)(6) of the food stamp act of 1977, Public Law 88-525, 7 U.S.C. 2015. This exemption can be extended an additional 3 months upon demonstration of continuing need.
Sec. 631. (1) The department may continue to offer quality before- or after-school programs that provide youth with a safe, engaging environment to motivate and inspire learning outside the traditional classroom setting. Before-school programs are limited to elementary school-aged children. Effective before- or after-school programs combine academic, enrichment, and recreation activities to guide learning and inspire children and youth in various activities. The before- or after-school programs can meet the needs of the communities served by the programs.
(2) The department shall continue to work in collaboration with independent contractors to implement a quality before- or after-school programs for school-aged children in kindergarten to ninth grades. In order for an independent contractor to receive TANF funds, a child served must be a member of a family with an income that does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty guidelines published by the United States department of health and human services.
(3) The department may allocate through grants or contracts up to $10,000,000.00 in TANF funds for programs. A county shall receive no more than 20% of the funds appropriated in part 1 for this program. From the funds appropriated in part 1 for before- or after-school programs within day care services, the department is authorized to make allocations of TANF funds only to the agencies that report necessary data to the department for the purpose of meeting TANF eligibility reporting requirements. The use of TANF funds under this section should not be considered an ongoing commitment of funding.
(4) The before- or after-school programs shall include, at a minimum, at least 3 of the following topics:
(a) Pregnancy prevention.
(b) Chemical abuse and dependency including nonmedical services.
(c) Gang violence prevention.
(d) Academic assistance, including assistance with reading and writing.
(e) Preparation toward future self-sufficiency.
(f) Leadership development.
(g) Case management or mentoring.
(h) Parental involvement.
(i) Anger management.
(5) The department may enter into contracts with faith-based organizations, boys or girls clubs, schools, or nonprofit organizations. The department shall grant priority in funding independent contractors who secure at least 10% in matching funds. The matching funds may either be fulfilled through local, state, or federal funds, or through in-kind or other donations. An independent contractor who cannot fulfill the match described in this subsection shall not be excluded from applying for a before- or after-school program contract.
(6) A referral to a program may be made by, but is not limited to, any of the following: a teacher; counselor; parent; police officer; judge; or social worker.
(7) By August 30, 2002, the department before-or-after-school program expenditures shall be audited and the department shall work in collaboration with independent contractors to provide a report on the before- or after-school program to the senate and house standing committees dealing with human services, the senate and house appropriations subcommittees for the family independence agency budget, and the senate and house fiscal agencies. The report shall include the number of participants and the average cost per participant, as well as changes noted in program participants in any of the following categories:
(a) Juvenile crime.
(b) Aggressive behavior.
(c) Academic achievement.
(d) Development of new skills and interests.
(e) School attendance and dropout rates.
(f) Behavioral changes in school.
Sec. 632. From the funds appropriated in part 1 for food bank council activities within state emergency relief, the department is authorized to make allocations of TANF funds only to the agencies that report necessary data to the department for the purpose of meeting TANF eligibility reporting requirements. The agencies that do not report necessary data to the department for the purpose of meeting TANF eligibility reporting requirements will not receive allocations in excess of those received in fiscal year 2000. The use of TANF funds under this section should not be considered an ongoing commitment of funding.
Sec. 633. From the funds appropriated in part 1 for transitional work support, the department shall expend up to $15,000,000.00 in general fund/general purpose funds to develop and fund a transitional work support program. The department shall provide the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on the family independence agency budget and the state budget director with a report that includes all of the following:
(a) The number of participants served.
(b) The average cost per program participant.
(c) Any other information that the department considers relevant.
JUVENILE JUSTICE SERVICES
Sec. 701. (1) The department shall expend a portion of the federal juvenile accountability incentive block grant to support the boot camp program. The remainder of the state allocation of the juvenile accountability incentive block grant shall be used to provide funding to enable juvenile courts, juvenile probation offices, and community-based programs to be more effective and efficient in holding juvenile offenders accountable and reducing recidivism, treating substance abuse problems, and developing community-based alternatives for female offenders and the following:
(a) To better address gang, drug, and youth violence.
(b) For training, equipment, and technology.
(c) For the establishment of programs that protect students and school personnel from drug, gang, and youth violence.
Sec. 702. The department shall ensure that all juveniles coming into care receive an assessment which includes a review of dysfunctional behavior in adolescents. In addition, the department shall ensure that all treatment addresses:
(a) Dysfunctional family practices, such as substance abuse and domestic violence.
(b) Sexual harassment and gender bias.
(c) Cultural and ethnic sensitivity.
Sec. 703. Counties shall be subject to 50% charge back for the use of alternative regional detention services, if those detention services do not fall under the basic provision of section 117e of the social welfare act, 1939 PA 280, MCL 400.117e, or if a county operates those detention services programs primarily with professional rather than volunteer staff.
Sec. 704. In order to be reimbursed for child care fund expenditures, counties are required to submit department developed reports to enable the department to document potential federally claimable expenditures. This requirement is in accordance with the reporting requirements specified in section 117a(7) of the social welfare act, 1939 PA 280, MCL 400.117a.
DISABILITY DETERMINATION SERVICES
Sec. 801. The family independence agency disability determination services in agreement with the department of management and budget office of retirement systems will develop the medical information and determine eligibility of medical disability retirement for state employees, state police, judges, and school teachers.