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 assist-
ance under the program of block grants to States for 
temporary assistance for needy families. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. REQUIREMENT THAT STATES ADOPT STAND-
ARDS AND PROCEDURES TO ADDRESS DO-
MESTIC 
AND 
SEXUAL 
VIOLENCE 
AMONG 
TANF RECIPIENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 402(a)(7) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(7)) is amended— 
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(1) by striking the paragraph heading and in-
serting ‘‘CERTIFICATION OF STANDARDS AND PRO-
CEDURES REGARDING DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIO-
LENCE’’; 
(2) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A certification by the 
chief executive officer of the State that the 
State has established and is enforcing stand-
ards and procedures to ensure the right and en-
titlement of victims of domestic or sexual vio-
lence (notwithstanding section 401(b)) seeking 
or receiving assistance under the State program 
funded under this part— 
‘‘(i) to be screened and identified 
while maintaining the confidentiality of the 
victims; 
‘‘(ii) to be referred to counseling and 
supportive services; 
‘‘(iii) to be granted a waiver, pursuant 
to a determination of good cause, of pro-
gram requirements such as time limits (for 
so long as necessary), residency require-
ments, child support cooperation require-
ments, and family cap provisions, in cases 
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where compliance with the requirements 
would make it more difficult for the vic-
tims to escape domestic or sexual violence 
or unfairly penalize the victims or individ-
uals who are at risk of further domestic or 
sexual violence; 
‘‘(iv) to apply to participate in the 
program on the same day that they contact 
a program office in person during office 
hours; 
‘‘(v) to have an application that con-
tains their name, address, and signature 
considered to be filed on the date it is sub-
mitted; 
‘‘(vi) to receive at the time of applica-
tion a clear, written statement explaining 
what acts they must perform to cooperate 
in obtaining verification and otherwise 
completing the application process; and 
‘‘(vii) if they have completed the ap-
plication process, to have their eligibility 
determined promptly, and to be provided 
assistance retroactive to the application 
date if determined eligible within 30 days 
after the application date.’’; and 
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(3) in subparagraph (B)— 
(A) in the subparagraph heading, by in-
serting ‘‘OR SEXUAL’’ after ‘‘DOMESTIC’’; and 
(B) in the text, by inserting ‘‘or sexual’’ 
after ‘‘domestic’’. 
(b) REPORT TO THE CONGRESS ON BEST PRACTICES 
OF STATES.—Section 413 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 613) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(k) REPORT TO CONGRESS ON BEST PRACTICES OF 
STATES IN ADDRESSING DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIO-
LENCE SUFFERED
BY TANF RECIPIENTS.—Every 4 
years, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Con-
gress a report which examines the practices of States in 
implementing section 402(a)(7), and identifies the best 
practices used to do so.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall take effect on October 1, 2012. 
Æ 
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