Public Act 094-0371
 
HB2421 Enrolled LRB094 07466 DRJ 37629 b

    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) Subject to appropriation, the Department of Human
Services shall establish a pilot program to provide recipients
of assistance under Article IV with additional assistance in
obtaining a post-secondary education degree to the extent
permitted by the federal law governing the Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families Program. This assistance may include, but is
not limited to, moneys for the payment of tuition, but the
Department may not use any moneys appropriated for the
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF) under
Article IV to pay for tuition under the pilot program. In
addition to criteria, standards, and procedures related to
post-secondary education required by rules applicable to the
TANF program, the Department shall provide that the 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.
    The Department shall define the pilot program by rule,
including a determination of its duration and scope, the nature
of the assistance to be provided, and the criteria, standards,
and procedures for participation.
    (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 the pilot program and
report its findings and recommendations after 2 years of its
operation to the Governor and the General Assembly, including
proposed rules to modify or extend the pilot program beyond the
scope and schedule upon which it was originally established.
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January
1, 2006.