HB2421 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB094 07466 DRJ 37629 b

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
HB2421

Introduced 2/17/2005, by Rep. Aaron Schock

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

305 ILCS 5/9A-15 new

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a pilot program to provide TANF recipients with assistance in obtaining a post-secondary education degree. Provides that this assistance may include moneys for the payment of tuition, but the Department may not use any moneys appropriated for the operation of the TANF program to pay for tuition under the pilot program. Requires the Department to enter into an interagency agreement with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for the administration of the pilot program. Requires the Department to evaluate whether having a post-secondary education degree increases a TANF recipient's earnings and to report the results of the evaluation to the General Assembly by January 1, 2008. Effective January 1, 2006.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning public aid.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by adding Section 9A-15 as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/9A-15 new)

Sec. 9A-15. College education assistance; pilot program.

(a) The Department of Human Services shall establish a pilot program to provide recipients of public aid under Article IV with assistance in obtaining a post-secondary education degree. This assistance may include moneys for the payment of tuition, but the Department may not use any moneys appropriated for the operation of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program under Article IV to pay for tuition under the pilot program. Time that a pilot program participant spends in post-secondary classes shall apply toward the time that the recipient is required to spend in education, placement, and training activities under this Article.

(b) The Department shall enter into an interagency agreement with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for the administration of the pilot program.

(c) The Department shall evaluate whether having a post-secondary education degree increases a TANF recipient's earnings and shall report the results of the evaluation to the General Assembly by January 1, 2008.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2006.