SCS/HCS/HB 1537 - This act creates the "Welfare to Work Protection Act". The act would accomplish the following:

Require all Work First participants to be granted leave time on the same basis as regular employees;

Authorize new job positions as supplemental wage assistance employment positions;

Prohibit the creation of supplemental wage assistance employment positions if such positions displace current employees, are a result of a labor dispute, or violate existing collective bargaining agreements;

Require Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) recipients to participate in a work readiness assessment at the time of their public assistance application;

Require the Department of Social Services to regularly convene a Caseload Standards Committee to make recommendations in developing caseload standards. The Committee shall submit records of its meetings to the General Assembly.
JOHN MESSMER