Improving Transparency in TANF through Data Act
Bill: H.R.4537 | Sponsor: Rep. Schweikert, David (R-AZ)
Policy area: Social Welfare

Summary:
Improving Transparency in TANF through Data Act
This bill revises state reporting requirements under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) program. It eliminates the option for states to use certain sampling methods in their reporting and requires states to report additional information related to the work eligibility status and participation in work activities for individuals participating in TANF programs.
The Department of Health and Human Services must also determine reporting requirements related to employment and earnings outcomes in consultation with the Department of Labor.

To amend title IV-A of the Social Security Act, and for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Transparency in TANF 
through Data Act''.

SEC. 2. ALIGNING AND IMPROVING DATA REPORTING.

    (a) Require States To Report Full-Population Data.--Section 
411(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 611(a)(1)) is amended--
            (1) by striking subparagraph (B);
            (2) by striking ``(1) General reporting requirement.--''; 
        and
            (3) by--
                    (A) redesignating--
                            (i) subparagraph (A) as paragraph (1);
                            (ii) clauses (i) through (xvii) of 
                        subparagraph (A) as subparagraphs (A) through 
                        (Q), respectively;
                            (iii) subclauses (I) through (V) of clause 
                        (ii) as clauses (i) through (v), respectively;
                            (iv) subclauses (I) through (VII) of clause 
                        (xi) as clauses (i) through (vii), 
                        respectively; and
                            (v) subclauses (I) through (V) of clause 
                        (xvi) as clauses (i) through (v), respectively; 
                        and
                    (B) moving each such redesignated provision 2 ems 
                to the left.
    (b) Reporting of Participation in Work or Work Preparation 
Activities.--Section 411(a)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 611(a)(1)), as 
amended by subsection (a) of this section, is amended by striking 
subparagraphs (K) and (L) and inserting the following:
                    ``(K) The work eligibility status of each 
                individual in the family, and--
                            ``(i) in the case of each work-eligible 
                        individual in the family--
                                    ``(I) the number of hours 
                                (including zero hours) per month of 
                                participation in--
                                            ``(aa) work activities (as 
                                        defined in section 407(d)); and
                                            ``(bb) any other activity 
                                        required by the State to remove 
                                        a barrier to employment.; and
                            ``(ii) in the case of each individual in 
                        the family who is not a work-eligible 
                        individual, the reason for that status.
                    ``(L) For each work-eligible individual and each 
                adult in the family who did not participate in work 
                activities (as so defined) during a month, the reason 
                for the lack of participation.''.
    (c) Reporting To Determine Information on Employment and Earnings 
Outcomes.--Section 411(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 611(c)) is amended to 
read as follows:
    ``(c) Reporting To Determine Information on Employment and Earnings 
Outcomes.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, 
shall determine the information that is necessary to compute the 
employment and earnings outcomes and the statistical adjustment model 
for the employment and earnings outcomes required under section 407, 
and each eligible State shall collect and report that information to 
the Secretary.''.

SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on October 1, 
2022.
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