Title: Promoting Employment and Economic Mobility Act
Policy area: Social Welfare

Summary:
Promoting Employment and Economic Mobility Act
This bill modifies requirements for those receiving benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, including requirements related to employment and job training. The bill also reauthorizes various TANF grant programs through FY2021.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3700 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3700

  To reauthorize the program of block grants to States for temporary 
         assistance for needy families, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            December 4, 2018

 Mr. Hatch (for himself and Mr. Wyden) introduced the following bill; 
     which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To reauthorize the program of block grants to States for temporary 
         assistance for needy families, 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 ``Promoting Employment and Economic 
Mobility Act''.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents of this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Sec. 3. References.
  TITLE I--IMPROVING PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES LEADING TO EMPLOYMENT

Sec. 101. Strengthening partnerships to improve results for families.
Sec. 102. Increasing State incentives to help individuals secure 
                            employment.
Sec. 103. Strengthening measurement of recipient participation.
Sec. 104. Supporting treatment and rehabilitation to prepare recipients 
                            for employment and support employment.
Sec. 105. Demonstration projects and improved data collection to 
                            improve engagement and outcomes.
                    TITLE II--STRENGTHENING FAMILIES

Sec. 201. Uniform work requirement for families.
Sec. 202. Supporting families by ending the marriage penalty.
               TITLE III--RESTORING THE INTEGRITY OF TANF

Sec. 301. Strengthening State requirements to engage recipients in 
                            employment and employment preparation 
                            activities.
Sec. 302. Measuring TANF spending on families receiving assistance and 
                            on low-income families.
Sec. 303. Report on child care provider criminal background checks.
                TITLE IV--REAUTHORIZING THE TANF PROGRAM

Sec. 401. 3-year reauthorization.
                         TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 501. Technical corrections to data exchange standards to improve 
                            program coordination.
Sec. 502. Effective dates.

SEC. 3. REFERENCES.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this Act an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal 
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to 
be made to a section or other provision of the Social Security Act.

  TITLE I--IMPROVING PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES LEADING TO EMPLOYMENT

SEC. 101. STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS TO IMPROVE RESULTS FOR FAMILIES.

    Section 408(b) (42 U.S.C. 608(b)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Individual Opportunity Plans.--
            ``(1) Assessment.--The State agency responsible for 
        administering a State program funded under this part or any 
        other State program funded with qualified State expenditures 
        (as defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)) shall make an initial 
        assessment of the skills, prior work experience, and 
        employability of each work-eligible individual (and, at State 
        option, any other adult who is a member of the family of the 
        individual) as well as of the well-being of the children in the 
        family of the individual.
            ``(2) Contents of plans.--On the basis of the assessment 
        required by paragraph (1) with respect to the individual, the 
        State agency, in consultation with the individual, may develop 
        a customized individual opportunity plan with the individual 
        that contains the following:
                    ``(A) Immediate needs and resources.--Information 
                that--
                            ``(i) specifies the immediate needs of the 
                        individual and the family;
                            ``(ii) describes the resources the 
                        individual and the family have to meet 
                        immediate needs, including--
                                    ``(I) individual resources, such as 
                                income and assets identified in the 
                                application process, education, and 
                                work experience;
                                    ``(II) household and family 
                                resources that may assist the 
                                individual, such as parents, children, 
                                siblings, and others; and
                                    ``(III) other resources and how 
                                they may help the individual meet 
                                immediate needs; and
                            ``(iii) describes the assistance and 
                        services the State will provide to help the 
                        individual meet immediate needs and improve the 
                        well-being of the children in the family.
                    ``(B) Individual and state responsibilities.--
                Information on the respective responsibilities of the 
                individual and the State that--
                            ``(i) includes a personal responsibility 
                        agreement signed by the individual in which the 
                        individual acknowledges receipt of publicly 
                        funded benefits and responsibility to comply 
                        with program requirements in order to receive 
                        the benefits;
                            ``(ii) sets forth an employment goal chosen 
                        by the individual with assistance from the 
                        State and a plan, jointly developed by the 
                        individual and the State, for moving the 
                        individual into employment and towards self-
                        sufficiency;
                            ``(iii) sets forth the obligations of the 
                        individual, including specific and measurable 
                        benchmarks for success that will help the 
                        individual become and remain employed;
                            ``(iv) to the greatest extent possible and 
                        consistent with the plan, is designed to move 
                        the individual into the employment the 
                        individual is capable of performing as quickly 
                        as possible, and increase the responsibility 
                        and amount of work the individual is to perform 
                        over time;
                            ``(v) describes the services the State will 
                        provide the individual so that the individual 
                        will be able to obtain and maintain employment;
                            ``(vi) may direct the individual to undergo 
                        appropriate treatment for substance abuse or 
                        other treatment if the individual, in 
                        consultation with the State, identifies such 
                        treatment as necessary to obtain and maintain 
                        employment; and
                            ``(vii) specifies a timeline for meeting 
                        the benchmarks contained in the plan with 
                        short-, medium-, and long-term goals, including 
                        a description of any incentives for the 
                        individual if the individual meets or exceeds 
                        the obligations specified in the plan, and any 
                        penalties that will apply if the individual 
                        fails without good cause to comply with the 
                        plan.
            ``(3) Timing.--The State agency shall comply with paragraph 
        (1) with respect to a work-eligible individual--
                    ``(A) in the case of a work-eligible individual 
                who, on October 1, 2020, is in a family receiving 
                assistance under the State program funded under this 
                part or any other State program funded with qualified 
                State expenditures (as defined in section 
                409(a)(7)(B)(i)), at the first periodic review for the 
                individual that occurs after that date; or
                    ``(B) in the case of a work-eligible individual 
                who, after October 1, 2020, is in a family determined 
                to be eligible for assistance under the State program 
                funded under this part or any other State program 
                funded with qualified State expenditures (as so 
                defined), within 60 days after the family is determined 
                to be eligible for such assistance.
            ``(4) Penalty for noncompliance by individual.--In addition 
        to any other penalties required under section 409(a), the State 
        may reduce, by such amount as the State considers appropriate, 
        the amount of assistance otherwise payable under the State 
        program to a family that includes the individual who fails 
        without good cause to comply with the individual opportunity 
        plan developed pursuant to this subsection that is signed by 
        the individual.
            ``(5) Periodic review.--The State shall develop a plan to, 
        not less frequently than every 90 days or at a period 
        determined by the State--
                    ``(A) review the individual opportunity plan 
                developed for the individual;
                    ``(B) review with the individual the progress made 
                by the individual in achieving the goals specified in 
                the plan (in person or through another communication 
                method allowing for discussion of progress made); and
                    ``(C) update the plan, as necessary, to reflect any 
                changes in the circumstances of the individual since 
                the plan was last reviewed.''.

SEC. 102. INCREASING STATE INCENTIVES TO HELP INDIVIDUALS SECURE 
              EMPLOYMENT.

    (a) Work-Eligible Individuals Served by a Performance-Based Entity, 
Working or Training for a Specific Job Offer.--Section 407(c)(2) (42 
U.S.C. 607(c)(2)), as amended by section 201(a)(3), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (D) as 
        subparagraphs (B) through (E), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as so 
        redesignated by paragraph (1)), the following:
                    ``(A) Work-eligible individual served by a 
                performance-based entity focused on work, working in 
                subsidized employment, or training for a specific job 
                offer deemed to be meeting work requirements.--For 
                purposes of calculating the number described in 
                subsection (b)(1)(B)(i), a work-eligible individual is 
                deemed to be engaged in work for a month in a fiscal 
                year if--
                            ``(i) the work-eligible individual is 
                        participating in activities under the 
                        supervision of an entity funded by the State 
                        focused on moving work-eligible individuals 
                        into employment and at least 50 percent of the 
                        payment made to the entity is contingent on 
                        work-eligible individuals becoming employed or 
                        retaining employment;
                            ``(ii) the work-eligible individual is 
                        participating in an activity described in 
                        subsection (d)(2) for at least 80 hours per 
                        month and the State program funded under this 
                        part pays for at least 25 percent of the 
                        individual's wage during the countable period 
                        (not to exceed 6 months with respect to any 
                        individual); or
                            ``(iii) the work-eligible individual is 
                        participating in activities (as defined by the 
                        State) for not more than 3 months that provide 
                        the competencies necessary for the individual 
                        to secure employment and an employer has 
                        entered into an agreement to hire the 
                        individual upon successful completion of the 
                        activities.''.
    (b) Verification of Engagement.--Section 407(i) (42 U.S.C. 607(i)) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Verification of engagement for work-eligible 
        individuals served by a performance-based entity focused on 
        work, working in subsidized employment, or training for a 
        specific job offer.--In addition to the regulations and State 
        procedures required under paragraphs (1) and (2), not later 
        than October 1, 2019, the Secretary shall promulgate 
        regulations, and States shall establish procedures consistent 
        with such regulations, for purposes of reporting and verifying 
        participation in activities described in subsection (c)(2)(A). 
        In the case of activities described in clause (i) of such 
        subsection, such regulations and procedures shall include 
        information with respect to the following:
                    ``(A) How a State using performance-based contracts 
                will report how they use such contracts to engage work-
                eligible individuals and move them into work.
                    ``(B) How a State will report demographic 
                characteristics of the work-eligible individuals the 
                State is serving through such contracts and how such 
                characteristics compare with those of individuals not 
                served through such contracts.
                    ``(C) How a State will assess the effectiveness of 
                such contracts.
            ``(4) Work-eligible individual.--In this part, the term 
        `work-eligible individual' has the meaning given that term in 
        the regulations promulgated pursuant to paragraph (1)(A)(i).''.

SEC. 103. STRENGTHENING MEASUREMENT OF RECIPIENT PARTICIPATION.

    (a) Allowing States To Receive Limited Credit for Partial 
Participation.--Section 407(c)(1)(B) (42 U.S.C. 607(c)(1)(B)), as 
amended by section 201(a)(3), is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(B) Credit for families participating for less 
                than the minimum hours required.--If a family includes 
                a work-eligible individual who has participated in work 
                activities for an average of fewer than 30 hours per 
                week during a month, but at least 15 hours (or 10 
                hours, in the case of a single parent specified in 
                paragraph (2)(C) of this subsection) per week of which 
                are attributable to an activity described in paragraphs 
                (1) through (9) of subsection (d), the family shall 
                count as 0.5 of a family for purposes of calculating 
                the number described in subsection (b)(1)(B)(i) for the 
                month.''.
    (b) State Option To Use Universal Work Participation Rate 
Calculation.--
            (1) In general.--Section 407(b) (42 U.S.C. 607(b)), as 
        amended by section 201(a)(2), is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as 
                paragraphs (4) through (6), respectively;
                    (B) by striking all that precedes paragraph (4) (as 
                so redesignated by subparagraph (A)) and inserting the 
                following:
    ``(b) Calculation of Participation Rates.--
            ``(1) In general.--
                    ``(A) Average monthly rate.--For purposes of 
                subsection (a), the participation rate of a State for a 
                fiscal year is the average of the participation rates 
                of the State for each month in the fiscal year.
                    ``(B) Monthly participation rates.--The 
                participation rate of a State for all families of the 
                State for a month, expressed as a percentage, is--
                            ``(i) the number of families in the State 
                        that include a work-eligible individual who is 
                        engaged in work for the month; divided by
                            ``(ii) the total number of families in the 
                        State that include a work-eligible individual 
                        during the month.
            ``(2) Universal work participation rate calculation.--
                    ``(A) Application.--A State may apply to the 
                Secretary to apply this paragraph with respect to the 
                State for a fiscal year.
                    ``(B) Calculation.--
                            ``(i) In general.--A State whose 
                        application under this paragraph is approved by 
                        the Secretary for a fiscal year shall be 
                        considered to be in compliance with subsection 
                        (a) for a month in the fiscal year if the total 
                        number of countable hours of work participation 
                        activities of families with work-eligible 
                        individuals in the State for the month is not 
                        less than the target number of hours of work 
                        participation activities for the State for the 
                        month.
                            ``(ii) Target number of hours of work 
                        participation activities.--For purposes of 
                        clause (i), the target number of hours of work 
                        participation activities for a State for a 
                        month in a fiscal year is the amount equal to 
                        the number of weeks in the month multiplied by 
                        the product of--
                                    ``(I) the percentage equal to the 
                                minimum participation rate in effect 
                                under subsection (a) for the fiscal 
                                year (after the application of any 
                                reduction in such rate under paragraph 
                                (4) and the application of the minimum 
                                State engagement requirement in 
                                paragraph (8)); and
                                    ``(II) the sum of--
                                            ``(aa) 20 times the number 
                                        of families with work-eligible 
                                        individuals in the State to 
                                        whom the State may apply 
                                        subparagraph (C) or (D) of 
                                        subsection (c)(2) for the 
                                        month; and
                                            ``(bb) 30 times the number 
                                        of families with work-eligible 
                                        individuals not described in 
                                        item (aa) in the State for the 
                                        month.
                            ``(iii) Total number of countable hours of 
                        work participation activities of families with 
                        work-eligible individuals.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--For purposes of 
                                clause (i), subject to subclause (II), 
                                the total number of countable hours of 
                                work participation activities of 
                                families with work-eligible individuals 
                                in a State for a month in a fiscal 
                                year, is the sum of the following 
                                number of hours determined for the 
                                month with respect to each family with 
                                a work-eligible individual:
                                            ``(aa) In the case of a 
                                        family with an individual to 
                                        whom the State applies 
                                        subsection (c)(2)(A) for the 
                                        month, 30 times the number of 
                                        weeks in the month (or 20 times 
                                        the number of weeks in the 
                                        month in the case of a single 
                                        parent or caretaker relative 
                                        described in subsection 
                                        (c)(2)(C)).
                                            ``(bb) In the case of a 
                                        family with a single parent or 
                                        caretaker relative to whom the 
                                        State applies subsection 
                                        (c)(2)(C) for the month, the 
                                        lesser of the actual number of 
                                        hours for which the single 
                                        parent or caretaker relative 
                                        participates in work activities 
                                        in the month and 20 times the 
                                        number of weeks in the month.
                                            ``(cc) In the case of a 
                                        family with a single teen head 
                                        of household or married teen to 
                                        whom the State applies 
                                        subsection (c)(2)(D)(i) for the 
                                        month, 20 times the number of 
                                        weeks in the month.
                                            ``(dd) In the case of a 
                                        family with a single teen head 
                                        of household or married teen to 
                                        whom the State applies 
                                        subsection (c)(2)(D)(ii) for 
                                        the month, the lesser of the 
                                        actual number of hours for 
                                        which the teen participates in 
                                        education directly related to 
                                        employment and 20 times the 
                                        number of weeks in the month.
                                            ``(ee) In the case of a 
                                        family with any other work-
                                        eligible individual, the lesser 
                                        of the actual number of hours 
                                        for which the individual 
                                        participates in work activities 
                                        in the month and 30 times the 
                                        number of weeks in the month.
                                    ``(II) Disregard of certain work 
                                participation hours.--In calculating 
                                the countable hours of work 
                                participation activities of a family 
                                with a work-eligible individual in a 
                                State for a month, the Secretary shall 
                                disregard any hour of participation 
                                that would not be countable if the 
                                participation rate of the State for the 
                                month were determined without regard to 
                                this paragraph and the limitations on 
                                counting activities under subsections 
                                (c) or (d) were applied.
                            ``(iv) Source of data.--The number of 
                        families with work-eligible individuals in a 
                        State and the number of hours of participation 
                        of the individuals in work activities shall be 
                        determined on the basis of information reported 
                        monthly under section 411.''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) State option to include individuals formerly 
        receiving assistance participating in subsidized employment.--
        In determining the participation rate under this section, a 
        State may include, on a case-by-case basis and for not more 
        than 6 months, a family with a former recipient of assistance 
        participating in subsidized employment if the individual began 
        participation in subsidized employment while receiving 
        assistance but is no longer a recipient due to their 
        participation in subsidized employment.''.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Section 407(b)(5) (42 U.S.C. 607(b)(5)) (as 
                redesignated by paragraph (1)(A), is amended--
                            (i) by striking ``paragraph (1)(B)'' and 
                        inserting ``calculating a participation rate 
                        under this section''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``that include a work-
                        eligible individual'' before ``that are 
                        receiving''.
                    (B) Each of the following provisions is amended by 
                striking ``recipient'' each place it appears and 
                inserting ``work-eligible individual'':
                            (i) Section 407(c)(1)(A) (42 U.S.C. 
                        607(c)(1)).
                            (ii) Section 407(c)(2)(C) (42 U.S.C. 
                        607(c)(2)(C)) (as redesignated by section 
                        102(a)(1)(A)).
                            (iii) Section 407(c)(2)(D) (42 U.S.C. 
                        607(c)(2)(D)) (as so redesignated).
                            (iv) Paragraphs (10) and (11) of section 
                        407(d) (42 U.S.C. 607(d)).
                    (C) Subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) of section 
                407(c)(2) (42 U.S.C. 607(c)(2)), (as redesignated by 
                section 102(a)(1)(A) and amended by subparagraph (B)) 
                are each amended by striking ``determining monthly 
                participation rates under'' and inserting ``calculating 
                the number described in''.
    (c) Clarification of Exemptions From Participation Requirement.--
Section 407(b)(6) (42 U.S.C. 607(b)(6)) (as redesignated by subsection 
(b)(1)(A)) is amended--
            (1) by striking all that precedes ``any fiscal year'' and 
        inserting the following:
            ``(6) Exemptions from participation requirement.--
                    ``(A) State option to disregard single custodial 
                parent caring for a child under age 1.--For''; and
            (2) by adding after and below the end the following:
                    ``(B) Disregard of family with work-eligible 
                individual subject to penalty for refusing to engage in 
                work.--In calculating a participation rate under this 
                section, a State shall disregard a family with a work-
                eligible individual that is subject to a penalty 
                imposed pursuant to subsection (e)(1) but has not been 
                subject to the penalty for more than 3 months in the 
                preceding 12-month period.''.

SEC. 104. SUPPORTING TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION TO PREPARE RECIPIENTS 
              FOR EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT EMPLOYMENT.

    Section 407(c)(2)(B) (42 U.S.C. 607(c)(2)(B)), (as so redesignated 
by section 102(a)(1)(A)), is amended--
            (1) in the subparagraph heading, by inserting ``and job 
        readiness assistance'' after ``job search''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iii) Participation in treatment or 
                        rehabilitation activities to prepare recipients 
                        for employment and support employment.--
                        Notwithstanding any limitation specified in 
                        clause (i), if an individual participates in 
                        substance abuse treatment, mental health 
                        treatment, or rehabilitation activities, the 
                        need for which has been determined to be 
                        necessary by a qualified independent medical, 
                        substance abuse, or mental health professional 
                        to prepare the individual for employment or to 
                        support the individual in employment, up to 12 
                        weeks of such participation shall be 
                        disregarded for purposes of applying the 
                        limitation under clause (i).''.

SEC. 105. DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS AND IMPROVED DATA COLLECTION TO 
              IMPROVE ENGAGEMENT AND OUTCOMES.

    (a) In General.--Section 415 (42 U.S.C. 615) is amended to read as 
follows:

``SEC. 415. DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS AND IMPROVED DATA COLLECTION TO 
              IMPROVE ENGAGEMENT AND OUTCOMES.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Engagement strategies.--The term `engagement 
        strategies' means, with respect to a State carrying out a 
        demonstration project under subsection (b), such policies, 
        procedures, and activities as the State and Secretary shall 
        determine necessary to achieve the desired outcomes of the 
        project.
            ``(2) Poverty line.--The term `poverty line' has the 
        meaning given that term in section 2110(c)(5).
            ``(3) State.--The term `State' has the meaning given that 
        term in section 419(5).
            ``(4) State tanf program.--The term `State TANF program' 
        means the State program funded under this part and includes a 
        tribal program carried out under section 412.
    ``(b) Authority.--
            ``(1) Selection of demonstration projects.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than October 1, 2019, 
                from the amounts reserved under paragraph (7) to carry 
                out this subsection, the Secretary shall select and 
                award grants to up to 10 States to develop and carry 
                out demonstration projects for the purposes of 
                evaluating the impact of different engagement 
                strategies in State TANF programs on employment, 
                earnings, family stability, and other outcomes on a 
                subset of families in the State with a work-eligible 
                individual who receive assistance under such programs.
                    ``(B) Requirements.--In selecting and awarding 
                grantees, the Secretary shall prioritize regional 
                diversity and select demonstration projects that 
                represent both urban and rural populations.
                    ``(C) Applications.--In order to be selected to 
                carry out a demonstration project under this 
                subsection, a State shall submit an application to the 
                Secretary, at such time, in such manner, and containing 
                such information as the Secretary shall require.
            ``(2) Requirements.--
                    ``(A) Outcomes and measures.--The Secretary, in 
                collaboration with the States selected to carry out 
                demonstration projects under this subsection, shall 
                determine a core set of outcomes and measures that the 
                States carrying out such projects shall report on. At a 
                minimum, the core set of outcomes and measures shall 
                include standard measures of employment, earnings, 
                program participation, receipt of means-tested benefits 
                or assistance, poverty, and deep poverty that have been 
                included in previous evaluations of this type for the 4 
                years following the quarter in which such individuals 
                first participated in the project.
                    ``(B) Other measures.--In addition to the core set 
                of outcomes and measures, a State carrying out a 
                demonstration project under this subsection may select 
                and specify supplemental targeted outcomes the State 
                seeks to achieve through the demonstration project and 
                how such outcomes shall be measured. If a State 
                demonstration project focuses on intensive employment 
                and training engagement strategies, to the extent 
                possible, the State shall ensure the outcome measures 
                align with those used under the Workforce Innovation 
                and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.).
                    ``(C) Caseload.--All families participating in a 
                demonstration project carried out under this subsection 
                must be families with a work-eligible individual where 
                the family is receiving assistance under the State TANF 
                program when the family's participation in the 
                demonstration project begins and may continue to 
                participate in the demonstration project without regard 
                to whether the family continues to receive such 
                assistance.
                    ``(D) Control group.--A State carrying out a 
                demonstration project under this subsection shall 
                establish a valid random assignment control group on 
                behalf of whom the State (or, if applicable, a county 
                or other political subdivision of the State) shall 
                continue to operate the traditional State TANF program 
                in order to compare outcomes for families participating 
                in the demonstration project with outcomes for families 
                in the control group.
                    ``(E) Tribal projects.--In addition to the up to 10 
                States selected to carry out a demonstration project 
                under this subsection, the Secretary shall select at 
                least 1, but not more than 3, Indian tribes with a 
                tribal family assistance plan approved under section 
                412 with which to work on related implementation and 
                outcomes studies to improve the engagement of and 
                outcomes for tribal families with a work-eligible 
                individual.
            ``(3) Duration.--Each State carrying out a demonstration 
        project under this subsection shall be authorized to enroll new 
        participants in the demonstration group or control group for 
        not more than 4 years from the date on which any work-eligible 
        individuals first begin to participate in the project. The 
        Secretary may allow for additional time to operate the 
        demonstration project after the time to enroll new participants 
        has expired for the purposes of evaluating the impacts of the 
        demonstration projects.
            ``(4) Suspension authority.--With respect to the families 
        participating in a demonstration project carried out under this 
        subsection, the Secretary shall suspend compliance with any 
        requirement under section 407 for families participating in the 
        project which, if applied, would prevent the State from 
        carrying out the demonstration project or prevent the State 
        from effectively achieving the purposes of the project for the 
        period during which the project is carried out.
            ``(5) Evaluation.--The Secretary, through grant, contract, 
        or interagency agreement, shall evaluate the demonstration 
        projects carried out under this subsection by comparing the 
        employment, earnings, program participation, receipt of means-
        tested benefits or assistance, poverty, deep poverty, and other 
        specific outcomes of families participating in the projects 
        with the employment, earnings, and same specific outcomes for 
        the families in the control groups for the projects. In 
        addition, the evaluation shall analyze the relationships 
        between engagement strategies, performance measures, and 
        impacts of the engagement strategies, along with such other 
        criteria as the Secretary determines appropriate.
            ``(6) Annual report.--Beginning October 1, 2021, and until 
        all evaluations of the demonstration projects are complete, the 
        Secretary shall annually submit to Congress reports 
        containing--
                    ``(A) analyses of the demographic characteristics 
                of the individuals who participated in the 
                demonstration projects carried out under this 
                subsection with the demographics of the individuals in 
                the control groups for the projects;
                    ``(B) analyses of the design, interventions, and 
                objectives of the projects;
                    ``(C) the most recent available results of the 
                evaluation described in paragraph (5); and
                    ``(D) recommendations for such legislation and 
                administrative action as the Secretary determines 
                appropriate.
            ``(7) Funding.--For each fiscal year in which demonstration 
        projects are developed or carried out under this subsection, 
        the Secretary shall use amounts made available under section 
        413(h)(1) for the fiscal year to carry out this subsection.''.
    (b) Improved Data Collection To Strengthen Outcomes.--
            (1) Data collection.--Section 411(a) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph 
                (8); and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (6), the 
                following:
            ``(7) Information on employment and earnings outcomes for 
        individuals receiving or formerly receiving assistance.--
                    ``(A) Reporting agreement.--Each eligible State and 
                the Secretary shall enter into an agreement specifying 
                the manner by which the information and data described 
                in this paragraph shall be collected and reported to 
                the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Outcomes for former recipients.--Information 
                and data regarding individuals in families who formerly 
                received assistance under the State program funded 
                under this part or under any State program funded with 
                qualified State expenditures (as defined in section 
                409(a)(7)(B)(i)) and were work-eligible individuals 
                before the family ceased receiving assistance, with 
                respect to the following:
                            ``(i) The following data determined for the 
                        1st and 4th full quarters ending after the 
                        quarter of exit from assistance:
                                    ``(I) The percentage of such 
                                individuals who have any level of 
                                earnings.
                                    ``(II) The percentage of such 
                                individuals who have earnings at or 
                                below 50 percent of the poverty line 
                                applicable to the quarter.
                                    ``(III) The distribution of income 
                                and earnings of such individuals 
                                relative to the poverty line.
                                    ``(IV) The percentage of such 
                                individuals receiving supplemental 
                                nutrition program benefits (as defined 
                                in section 3(t) of the Food and 
                                Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
                                2012(t)) for the quarter.
                                    ``(V) The percentage of such 
                                individuals receiving medical 
                                assistance under a State plan or a 
                                waiver of such plan under title XIX for 
                                the quarter.
                            ``(ii) The percentage of such individuals 
                        who are in unsubsidized employment during the 
                        2d quarter after exiting from the program.
                            ``(iii) The percentage of such individuals 
                        who are in unsubsidized employment during the 
                        4th quarter after exiting from the program.
                            ``(iv) The median earnings of such 
                        individuals who are in unsubsidized employment 
                        during the 2d quarter after exiting from the 
                        program.
                    ``(C) Engagement and employment of current 
                recipients.--In the case of work-eligible individuals 
                in families who received assistance under the State 
                program funded under this part or under any State 
                program funded with qualified State expenditures (as 
                defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)), the following 
                information and data relative to a reference quarter:
                            ``(i) Employment and earnings in each of 
                        the 4 quarters prior to the reference quarter.
                            ``(ii) Standard measures of employment, 
                        earnings, receipt of assistance, and 
                        participation in work activities (as defined in 
                        section 407(d)) in each of the 4 quarters 
                        following the reference quarter.
                    ``(D) Other information.--With respect to the 
                populations described in subparagraph (B) or (C)--
                            ``(i) such other information or data as the 
                        Secretary may require; and
                            ``(ii) such other measures of employment, 
                        earnings, program participation, receipt of 
                        means-tested benefits or assistance, and 
                        poverty as the Secretary may require and which, 
                        to the greatest extent practicable, shall be 
                        based on the information required for State 
                        performance reports under section 116(d)(2) of 
                        the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
                        (29 U.S.C. 3141(d)(2)).
                    ``(E) Statistical adjustment model for employment 
                outcomes.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
                Secretary of Labor and relevant experts, shall 
                commission a study to develop recommendations on how to 
                and disseminate an objective statistical model that 
                will allow the Secretary to make adjustments to data 
                reported pursuant to this paragraph based on actual 
                economic conditions and the characteristics of 
                participants. To the extent practicable, the 
                recommendations shall be compatible with the 
                statistical adjustment model developed under 
                subparagraph (A)(viii) of section 116(b)(3) of the 
                Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
                3141(b)(3)(A)(viii)) and, with respect to a State, the 
                State adjusted levels of performance established for 
                the State under that section.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Paragraph (8) of section 411(a), 
        as redesignated by paragraph (1)(A), is amended by inserting 
        ``and with respect to the information required under paragraph 
        (7)'' before the period.

                    TITLE II--STRENGTHENING FAMILIES

SEC. 201. UNIFORM WORK REQUIREMENT FOR FAMILIES.

    (a) Elimination of Separate Participation Rate Requirements for 2-
Parent Families.--Section 407 (42 U.S.C. 607) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking all through ``A State'' the 1st 
                place it appears and inserting the following:
    ``(a) Participation Rate Requirements.--A State''; and
                    (B) by striking paragraph (2);
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
                ``Rates'' and inserting ``Rate'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``(a)(1)'' and 
                inserting ``(a)'';
                    (C) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(2) [Reserved.]'';
                    (D) in paragraph (4), by striking ``paragraphs 
                (1)(B) and (2)(B)'' and inserting ``paragraph (1)(B)''; 
                and
                    (E) in paragraph (5), by striking ``rates'' and 
                inserting ``rate''; and
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraph (B) 
                and inserting the following:
                    ``(B) [Reserved].''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(D)--
                            (i) by striking ``paragraphs (1)(B)(i) and 
                        (2)(B) of subsection (b)'' and inserting 
                        ``subsection (b)(1)(B)(i)''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``in all families and in 
                        2-parent families, respectively,''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The paragraph heading for section 
409(a)(3) (42 U.S.C. 609(a)(3)) is amended by striking ``rates'' and 
inserting ``rate''.

SEC. 202. SUPPORTING FAMILIES BY ENDING THE MARRIAGE PENALTY.

    Not later than October 1, 2020, each State with a State plan 
approved under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
607 et seq.) shall report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
information regarding the eligibility criteria applied by the State to 
2-parent families applying for or receiving assistance under the State 
program funded under such part or under any other State program funded 
with qualified State expenditures (as defined in section 
409(a)(7)(B)(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 609(a)(7)(B)(i))) that are not 
applied to single-parent families applying for or receiving such 
assistance, as well as provide an explanation as to how such 
differences do not impose additional barriers for 2-parent families or 
what efforts the State is undertaking to ensure any such eligibility 
criteria do not disadvantage 2-parent families.

               TITLE III--RESTORING THE INTEGRITY OF TANF

SEC. 301. STRENGTHENING STATE REQUIREMENTS TO ENGAGE RECIPIENTS IN 
              EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYMENT PREPARATION ACTIVITIES.

    Section 407(b) (42 U.S.C. 607(b)), as amended by section 
103(b)(1)(C), is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(8) Minimum state engagement requirement.--
        Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the 
        minimum participation rate for purposes of subsection (a) of 
        this section shall be not less than 10 percent in fiscal year 
        2020 and 20 percent in fiscal year 2021 and each fiscal year 
        thereafter.''.

SEC. 302. MEASURING TANF SPENDING ON FAMILIES RECEIVING ASSISTANCE AND 
              ON LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

    Section 411 (42 U.S.C. 611) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(e) State Requirement To Report Spending on Families Receiving 
Assistance and on Low-Income Families.--Each eligible State shall 
report the following information, with respect to fiscal year 2019, not 
later than July 1, 2020, and, with respect to each fiscal year 
beginning after that date, not later than such date as the Secretary 
shall require:
            ``(1) The amount and percent of the State spending of the 
        grant made under section 403(a)(1) and any qualified State 
        expenditures (as defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)) on 
        families receiving assistance by category of spending.
            ``(2) An estimate of the amount and percent of State 
        spending of the grant made under section 403(a)(1) and any 
        qualified State expenditures (as so defined) that consists of 
        benefits and services--
                    ``(A) for families in the State whose income is 
                below the income official poverty line (as defined by 
                the Office of Management and Budget, and revised 
                annually in accordance with section 673(2) of the 
                Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981) applicable 
                to a family of the size involved; and
                    ``(B) for families in the State whose income is 
                below twice the income official poverty line (as so 
                defined) applicable to a family of the size involved.
            ``(3) Information explaining who is eligible for assistance 
        in the State and the specific criteria used to determine 
        eligibility for assistance.''.

SEC. 303. REPORT ON CHILD CARE PROVIDER CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in 
consultation with the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 
shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the 
Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report 
that includes the following:
            (1) Information on the requirements for criminal background 
        checks for child care providers receiving funds directly from 
        the TANF program. The report shall include descriptions of such 
        requirements for each eligible State and analyses of--
                    (A) how such checks are conducted;
                    (B) the extent to which child care providers comply 
                with such requirements; and
                    (C) how the requirements for such background checks 
                are similar to or differ from the requirements for 
                criminal background checks for child care staff members 
                (including prospective child care staff members) of 
                child care providers under section 658H(b) of the Child 
                Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990. (42 
                U.S.C. 9858f(b)).
            (2) A list of eligible States that are not responding to 
        requests for interstate child care provider criminal background 
        checks and the reasons for why such States are not responding 
        to a request from another State.
            (3) For each eligible State, information regarding the 
        average interstate criminal background check processing time 
        and fees.
            (4) A list of eligible States that have closed record laws 
        or systems that prevent such States from sharing complete 
        criminal background check data with another eligible State.
    (b) Data Requirement.--The Secretary shall use data for the 3 most 
recent fiscal years for which data are available to prepare the report.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Eligible state.--The term ``eligible State'' has the 
        meaning given that term in section 402(a) of the Social 
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 602(a)).
            (2) TANF program.--The term ``TANF program'' means the 
        temporary assistance for needy families program funded under 
        part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et 
        seq.) and includes any State program funded with qualified 
        State expenditures (as defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i) of 
        such Act (42 U.S.C. 609(a)(7)(B)(i)).

                TITLE IV--REAUTHORIZING THE TANF PROGRAM

SEC. 401. 3-YEAR REAUTHORIZATION.

    (a) Family Assistance Grants.--Section 403(a)(1) (42 U.S.C. 
603(a)(1)) is amended in each of subparagraphs (A) and (C) by striking 
``2017 and 2018'' and inserting ``2019 through 2021''.
    (b) Healthy Marriage Promotion and Responsible Fatherhood Grants.--
Section 403(a)(2)(D) (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(2)(D)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``2017 and 2018'' and inserting ``2019 
        through 2021''; and
            (2) by striking ``for fiscal year 2017 or 2018''.
    (c) Contingency Fund.--Section 403(b)(2) (42 U.S.C. 603(b)(2)) is 
amended by striking ``for fiscal year 2018'' and inserting ``for each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2021''.
    (d) Tribal Family Assistance Grants.--Paragraphs (1)(A) and (2)(A) 
of section 412(a) (42 U.S.C. 612(a)) are each amended by striking 
``2017 and 2018'' and inserting ``2019 through 2021''.
    (e) Child Care.--Section 418(a)(3) (42 U.S.C. 618(a)(3)) is amended 
by striking ``and 2018'' and inserting ``through 2021''.
    (f) Grants to the Territories.--Section 1108(b)(2) (42 U.S.C. 
1308(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``2017 and 2018'' and inserting 
``2019 through 2021''.

                         TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 501. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO DATA EXCHANGE STANDARDS TO IMPROVE 
              PROGRAM COORDINATION.

    (a) In General.--Section 411(d) (42 U.S.C. 611(d)) is amended to 
read as follows:
    ``(d) Data Exchange Standards for Improved Interoperability.--
            ``(1) Designation.--The Secretary shall, in consultation 
        with an interagency work group established by the Office of 
        Management and Budget and considering State government 
        perspectives, by rule, designate data exchange standards to 
        govern, under this part--
                    ``(A) necessary categories of information that 
                State agencies operating programs under State plans 
                approved under this part are required under applicable 
                Federal law to electronically exchange with another 
                State agency; and
                    ``(B) Federal reporting and data exchange required 
                under applicable Federal law.
            ``(2) Requirements.--The data exchange standards required 
        by paragraph (1) shall, to the extent practicable--
                    ``(A) incorporate a widely accepted, non-
                proprietary, searchable, computer-readable format, such 
                as the eXtensible Markup Language;
                    ``(B) contain interoperable standards developed and 
                maintained by intergovernmental partnerships, such as 
                the National Information Exchange Model;
                    ``(C) incorporate interoperable standards developed 
                and maintained by Federal entities with authority over 
                contracting and financial assistance;
                    ``(D) be consistent with and implement applicable 
                accounting principles;
                    ``(E) be implemented in a manner that is cost-
                effective and improves program efficiency and 
                effectiveness; and
                    ``(F) be capable of being continually upgraded as 
                necessary.
            ``(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection 
        shall be construed to require a change to existing data 
        exchange standards found to be effective and efficient.''.
    (b) Implementation.--Not later than the date that is 24 months 
after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services shall issue a proposed rule that--
            (1) identifies federally required data exchanges, include 
        specification and timing of exchanges to be standardized, and 
        address the factors used in determining whether and when to 
        standardize data exchanges; and
            (2) specifies State implementation options and describes 
        future milestones.

SEC. 502. EFFECTIVE DATES.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
amendments made by this Act shall take effect as if enacted on October 
1, 2018.
    (b) Improving Participation in Activities Leading to Employment.--
The amendments made by sections 101, 102, 103, 104, and 301 take effect 
on October 1, 2019.
                                 <all>