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2011 House Bill 4409: Close welfare benefit time limit loopholes

Public Act 131 of 2011

Introduced by Rep. Kenneth Horn R-Frankenmuth on March 10, 2011
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.
Referred to the House Families, Children, and Seniors Committee on March 10, 2011
Reported in the House on May 3, 2011
With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
Substitute offered in the House on May 10, 2011
To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described.
The substitute passed by voice vote in the House on May 10, 2011
Amendment offered by Rep. Rashida Tlaib D-Detroit on May 10, 2011
To require the Department of Human Services to adopt a policy for providing exceptions to a 48 month welfare cap.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on May 10, 2011
Amendment offered by Rep. Thomas Stallworth, III D-Detroit on May 10, 2011
To require Department of Human Services caseworkers to visit welfare recipients' homes before cash welfare benefits are granted.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on May 10, 2011
Amendment offered by Rep. Harvey Santana D-Detroit on May 10, 2011
To exempt welfare recipients in counties with above-25 percent unemployment rates from the 48 month welfare cap.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on May 10, 2011
Amendment offered by Rep. Kenneth Horn R-Frankenmuth on May 10, 2011
To clarify references in the bill to other programs.
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on May 10, 2011
Substitute offered by Rep. Dian Slavens D-Canton Twp. on May 10, 2011
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.
The substitute failed 48 to 62 in the House on May 10, 2011.
    See Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No".
Motion by Rep. Jim Stamas R-Midland on May 12, 2011
To give the bill immediate effect.
The motion failed 62 to 46 in the House on May 12, 2011.
    See Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No".
Received in the Senate on May 17, 2011
Referred to the Senate Families, Seniors & Human Services Committee on May 17, 2011
Substitute offered in the Senate on July 13, 2011
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.
The substitute passed by voice vote in the Senate on July 13, 2011
Amendment offered by Sen. Vincent Gregory D-Southfield on July 13, 2011
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.
The amendment failed 13 to 23 in the Senate on July 13, 2011.
    See Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No".
Motion by Sen. Arlan Meekhof R-West Olive on July 13, 2011
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.
The motion failed by voice vote in the Senate on July 13, 2011
Motion in the Senate on August 24, 2011
To give the bill immediate effect.
The motion passed 26 to 12 in the Senate on August 24, 2011.
    See Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No".
Received in the House on August 24, 2011
To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.
Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder on September 6, 2011