I 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 4978 

To require States to take certain steps to address domestic and sexual 

violence among individuals receiving assistance under the program of 

block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 25, 2010 

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin (for herself and Mr. STARK) introduced the following 

bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means 

A BILL 

To require States to take certain steps to address domestic 

and sexual violence among individuals receiving assistance under the program of block grants to States for 

temporary assistance for needy families. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. REQUIREMENT THAT STATES ADOPT STAND4 ARDS AND PROCEDURES TO ADDRESS DO5 MESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE AMONG 

6 TANF RECIPIENTS. 

7 (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 402(a)(7) of the Social 

8 Security Act (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(7)) is amended— 


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1 (1) by striking the paragraph heading and in2 serting ‘‘CERTIFICATION OF STANDARDS AND PRO3 CEDURES REGARDING DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIO4 LENCE’’; 

5 (2) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting 

6 the following: 

7 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A certification by the 

8 chief executive officer of the State that the 

9 State has established and is enforcing stand10 ards and procedures to ensure the right and en11 titlement of victims of domestic or sexual vio12 lence (notwithstanding section 401(b)) seeking 

13 or receiving assistance under the State program 

14 funded under this part— 

15 ‘‘(i) to be screened and identified 

16 while maintaining the confidentiality of the 

17 victims; 

18 ‘‘(ii) to be referred to counseling and 

19 supportive services; 

20 ‘‘(iii) to be granted a waiver, pursuant 

21 to a determination of good cause, of pro22 gram requirements such as time limits (for 

23 so long as necessary), residency require24 ments, child support cooperation require25 ments, and family cap provisions, in cases 


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1 where compliance with the requirements 

2 would make it more difficult for the vic3 tims to escape domestic or sexual violence 

4 or unfairly penalize the victims or individ5 uals who are at risk of further domestic or 

6 sexual violence; 

7 ‘‘(iv) to apply to participate in the 

8 program on the same day that they contact 

9 a program office in person during office 

10 hours; 

11 ‘‘(v) to have an application that con12 tains their name, address, and signature 

13 considered to be filed on the date it is sub14 mitted; 

15 ‘‘(vi) to receive at the time of applica16 tion a clear, written statement explaining 

17 what acts they must perform to cooperate 

18 in obtaining verification and otherwise 

19 completing the application process; and 

20 ‘‘(vii) if they have completed the ap21 plication process, to have their eligibility 

22 determined promptly, and to be provided 

23 assistance retroactive to the application 

24 date if determined eligible within 30 days 

25 after the application date.’’; and 


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1 (3) in subparagraph (B)— 

2 (A) in the subparagraph heading, by in3 serting ‘‘OR SEXUAL’’ after ‘‘DOMESTIC’’; and 

4 (B) in the text, by inserting ‘‘or sexual’’ 

5 after ‘‘domestic’’. 

6 (b) REPORT TO THE CONGRESS ON BEST PRACTICES

7 OF STATES.—Section 413 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 613) 

8 is amended by adding at the end the following: 

9 ‘‘(k) REPORT TO CONGRESS ON BEST PRACTICES OF

10 STATES IN ADDRESSING DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIO11 LENCE SUFFERED BY TANF RECIPIENTS.—Every 4 

12 years, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Con13 gress a report which examines the practices of States in 

14 implementing section 402(a)(7), and identifies the best 

15 practices used to do so.’’. 

16 (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 

17 this section shall take effect on October 1, 2012. 

Æ 


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