|
U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 1314a. Measurement and reporting of welfare receipt
(a) Congressional policy
The Congress hereby declares that -
(1) it is the policy and responsibility of the Federal
Government to reduce the rate at which and the degree to which
families depend on income from welfare programs and the duration
of welfare receipt, consistent with other essential national
goals;
(2) it is the policy of the United States to strengthen
families, to ensure that children grow up in families that are
economically self-sufficient and that the life prospects of
children are improved, and to underscore the responsibility of
parents to support their children;
(3) the Federal Government should help welfare recipients as
well as individuals at risk of welfare receipt to improve their
education and job skills, to obtain child care and other
necessary support services, and to take such other steps as may
be necessary to assist them to become financially independent;
and
(4) it is the purpose of this section to provide the public
with generally accepted measures of welfare receipt so that it
can track such receipt over time and determine whether progress
is being made in reducing the rate at which and, to the extent
feasible, the degree to which, families depend on income from
welfare programs and the duration of welfare receipt.
(b) Development of welfare indicators and predictors
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section
referred to as the "Secretary") in consultation with the Secretary
of Agriculture shall -
(1) develop -
(A) indicators of the rate at which and, to the extent
feasible, the degree to which, families depend on income from
welfare programs and the duration of welfare receipt; and
(B) predictors of welfare receipt;
(2) assess the data needed to report annually on the indicators
and predictors, including the ability of existing data collection
efforts to provide such data and any additional data collection
needs; and
(3) not later than 2 years after October 31, 1994, provide an
interim report containing conclusions resulting from the
development and assessment described in paragraphs (1) and (2),
to -
(A) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives;
(B) the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of
Representatives;
(C) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives;
(D) the Committee on Commerce of the House of
Representatives;
(E) the Committee on Finance of the Senate;
(F) the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate;
and
(G) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of
the Senate.
(c) Advisory Board on Welfare Indicators
(1) Establishment
There is established an Advisory Board on Welfare Indicators
(in this subsection referred to as the "Board").
(2) Composition
The Board shall be composed of 12 members with equal numbers to
be appointed by the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the
President. The Board shall be composed of experts in the fields
of welfare research and welfare statistical methodology,
representatives of State and local welfare agencies, and
organizations concerned with welfare issues.
(3) Vacancies
Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Board shall be
filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the
position being vacated. The vacancy shall not affect the power of
the remaining members to execute the duties of the Board.
(4) Duties
Duties of the Board shall include -
(A) providing advice and recommendations to the Secretary on
the development of indicators of the rate at which and, to the
extent feasible, the degree to which, families depend on income
from welfare programs and the duration of welfare receipt; and
(B) providing advice on the development and presentation of
annual reports required under subsection (d) of this section.
(5) Travel expenses
Members of the Board shall not be compensated, but shall
receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under
subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5 for each day the member is
engaged in the performance of duties away from the home or
regular place of business of the member.
(6) Detail of Federal employees
The Secretary shall detail, without reimbursement, any of the
personnel of the Department of Health and Human Services to the
Board to assist the Board in carrying out its duties. Any detail
shall not interrupt or otherwise affect the civil service status
or privileges of the Federal employee.
(7) Voluntary service
Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, the Board may accept
the voluntary services provided by a member of the Board.
(8) Termination of Board
The Board shall be terminated at such time as the Secretary
determines the duties described in paragraph (4) have been
completed, but in any case prior to the submission of the first
report required under subsection (d) of this section.
(d) Annual welfare indicators report
(1) Preparation
The Secretary shall prepare annual reports on welfare receipt
in the United States.
(2) Coverage
The report shall include analysis of families and individuals
receiving assistance under means-tested benefit programs,
including the program of aid to families with dependent children
under part A of subchapter IV of this chapter, the food stamp
program under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.),
and the Supplemental Security Income program under subchapter XVI
of this chapter, or as general assistance under programs
administered by State and local governments.
(3) Contents
Each report shall set forth for each of the means-tested
benefit programs described in paragraph (2) -
(A) indicators of -
(i) the rate at which and, to the extent feasible, the
degree to which, families depend on income from welfare
programs, and
(ii) the duration of welfare receipt;
(B) trends in indicators;
(C) predictors of welfare receipt;
(D) the causes of welfare receipt;
(E) patterns of multiple program receipt;
(F) such other information as the Secretary deems relevant;
and
(G) such recommendations for legislation, which shall not
include proposals to reduce eligibility levels or impose
barriers to program access, as the Secretary may determine to
be necessary or desirable to reduce -
(i) the rate at which and the degree to which families
depend on income from welfare programs, and
(ii) the duration of welfare receipt.
(4) Submission
The Secretary shall submit such a report not later than 3 years
after October 31, 1994, and annually thereafter, to the
committees specified in subsection (b)(3) of this section. Each
such report shall be transmitted during the first 60 days of each
regular session of Congress.
(e) Short title
This section may be cited as the "Welfare Indicators Act of
1994".
|
|