‘‘(III) how to screen for, and 
identify when, domestic or sexual vio-
lence creates barriers to compliance, 
how to make effective referrals for 
services, and how to modify eligibility 
and program requirements and prohi-
bitions to address domestic or sexual 
violence barriers; and 
‘‘(IV) the process for determining 
good cause for noncompliance with an 
eligibility or program requirement or 
prohibition and granting waivers of 
such requirements. 
‘‘(iv) At State option, enter into con-
tracts with or employ qualified profes-
sionals for the provision of services in each 
of the fields of domestic or sexual violence. 
‘‘(B) DEFINITIONS.—In this part: 
‘‘(i) DOMESTIC
OR
SEXUAL
VIO-
LENCE.—The term ‘domestic or sexual vio-
lence’ has the meaning given the term ‘bat-
tered or subjected to extreme cruelty’ in 
section 408(a)(7)(C)(iii). 
‘‘(ii) 
QUALIFIED
PROFESSIONAL.—
The term ‘qualified professional’ includes a
State or local organization with recognized 
expertise in the dynamics of domestic or 
sexual violence who has as one of its pri-
mary purposes to provide services to vic-
tims of domestic or sexual violence, such as 
a sexual assault crisis center or domestic 
or sexual violence program, or an indi-
vidual trained by such an organization.’’. 
(b) ASSESSMENT.—Section 408(b) of the Social Se-
curity Act (42 U.S.C. 608(b)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘and employability’’ 
and inserting ‘‘employability, and potential barriers, 
including domestic or sexual violence, mental or 
physical health, learning disability, substance abuse, 
English as a second language, child care needs, in-
sufficient housing, or transportation’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)(A)—
(A) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(B) in clause (v), by striking the period 
and inserting a semicolon; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(vi) documents the individual’s re-
ceipt of adequate notice of program re-
quirements, confidentiality provisions, as-
sessment and program services, and waiv-
ers available to individuals who have or 
may have been subjected to domestic or 
sexual violence or are at risk for future 
such violence, as well as the process to ac-
cess such services or waivers; and 
‘‘(vii) may not require the individual 
to participate in services to address domes-
tic or sexual violence.’’. 
(c) REVIEW AND CONCILIATION PROCESS.—Section 
408(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)), as 
amended by section 3, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(13) REVIEW
AND
CONCILIATION
PROCESS 
FOR FAMILIES SUBJECTED TO DOMESTIC OR SEXUAL 
VIOLENCE.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A State to which a 
grant is made under section 403 shall not im-
pose a sanction or penalty against an individual 
under the State program funded under this 
part on the basis of noncompliance by an indi-
vidual or family with a program requirement 
where domestic or sexual violence is a signifi-
cant contributing factor in the noncompliance.
‘‘(B) REQUIREMENT.—Prior to imposing a 
sanction or penalty against an individual under 
the State program funded under this part, the 
State shall—
‘‘(i) specifically consider whether the 
individual has been or is being subjected to 
domestic or sexual violence; and 
‘‘(ii) if such violence is identified—
‘‘(I) make a reasonable effort to 
modify or waive program require-
ments or prohibitions; and 
‘‘(II) offer the individual referral 
to voluntary services to address the vi-
olence.’’. 
(d) STATE OPTION TO INCLUDE SURVIVORS OF DO-
MESTIC OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN WORK PARTICIPATION 
RATES.—Section 407(c)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 607(c)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
‘‘(E) STATE OPTION TO INCLUDE SUR-
VIVORS OF DOMESTIC OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE.—
For purposes of determining monthly participa-
tion rates under subsection (b)(1)(B)(i), a State 
may deem an individual receiving services to ad-
dress having been or being subjected to domes-
tic or sexual violence, or receiving a waiver from 
program requirements under section 402(a)(7), 
as being engaged in work for the month.’’. 
(e) AUTHORITY TO GRANT GOOD CAUSE DOMESTIC 
OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE WAIVERS FROM 20 PERCENT LIM-
ITATION
ON
HARDSHIP
EXCEPTION.—Section 
408(a)(7)(C)(ii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
608(a)(7)(C)(ii)) is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘The average’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(I) IN
GENERAL.—The aver-
age’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(II) EXCEPTION.—A State may 
exceed the 20 percent limitation under 
subclause (I) in order to grant good 
cause waivers to extend the time limit 
for receipt of assistance with respect 
to a family based on the need for con-
tinued assistance due to current or 
past domestic or sexual violence, or 
the risk of further violence.’’. 
(f) ANNUAL REPORTS ON IMPACT OF DOMESTIC OR 
SEXUAL VIOLENCE RULES, SERVICES, AND PRACTICES.—
Section 411 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 611) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) ANNUAL REPORTS ON IMPACT OF DOMESTIC OR 
SEXUAL VIOLENCE RULES, SERVICES, AND PRACTICES.—
‘‘(1) STATE REPORTS.—Not later than January 
of each fiscal year, each State shall collect and re-
port to the Secretary, with respect to the preceding 
fiscal year, the following information, including any 
changes to such information from reports for years 
previously submitted: 
‘‘(A) A copy of all rules and policies gov-
erning the State procedures to address domestic 
or sexual violence, including State rules and 
policies not required by Federal law. 
‘‘(B) The number and percentage of total 
applicants and recipients who apply for waivers 
of program requirements and the number of 
such waivers granted broken down by the type 
of program requirement waived (such as work 
requirements and child support cooperation re-
quirements) and by race. 
‘‘(C) The following information, broken 
down by race: