To eliminate some of the loopholes from a supposed 48 month lifetime cap on the length of time a person can collect cash welfare benefits, and eliminate a 2011 sunset on imposing that cap. Among other things, this and House Bill 4410 would increase sanctions for violating certain welfare work or study requirements, no longer define 19 year old high school students as “children” eligible for welfare, require legal resident status be checked using the federal “e-verify” system in certain cases, require more frequent eligibility reviews, and more. The House and Senate Fiscal Agencies estimate the two-bill package would save the state around $60 million annually.   Official Text and Analysis.

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described.

To require the Department of Human Services to adopt a policy for providing exceptions to a 48 month welfare cap.

To require Department of Human Services caseworkers to visit welfare recipients' homes before cash welfare benefits are granted.

To exempt welfare recipients in counties with above-25 percent unemployment rates from the 48 month welfare cap.

To clarify references in the bill to other programs.

To adopt a version of the bill that does not repeal a provision that "sunsets" the four-year welfare cap. In other words, the cap would no longer apply.

To give the bill immediate effect.

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that expands the exceptions to the 48-month lifetime welfare cap and other requirements. In particular, these would not apply to a person caring for a disabled child or spouse.

To not count time toward a person's welfare cap if he or she lives in a county where the unemployment rate exceeds the state average by 25 percent or more.

To allow the bill to go into effect on Oct. 1, 2011, rather than in the spring of 2012. A two-thirds majority is required for this "immediate effect" motion, and two Republicans were absent from this party-line vote.

To give the bill immediate effect.

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.