00                        CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 142(HES)                                                                  
01 "An Act relating to the Alaska temporary assistance program; and providing for an                                       
02 effective date."                                                                                                        
03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
04    * Section 1.  AS 47.27.015 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:                                          
05            (h)  When determining under (a)(1) of this section whether an adult has                                      
06       received benefits for a total of 60 months, the department shall disregard the months                             
07       that are required to be disregarded under 42 U.S.C. 608(a)(7)(D).                                                 
08    * Sec. 2.  AS 47.27.025(c) is amended to read:                                                                     
09            (c)  The department shall, for the months of July, August, and September,                                    
10       reduce by 50 percent the maximum assistance for which the family is otherwise                                     
11       eligible if the family's eligibility for assistance is based on AS 47.27.010(4), unless                       
12       the second needy parent is determined, under regulations of the department, to                                
13       be physically or mentally unable to perform gainful activity or to be providing                               
14       care for a child who is experiencing a disability [THE UNEMPLOYMENT OF                                        

01       THE FAMILY'S PRINCIPAL WAGE EARNER].  However, if the commissioner                                                
02       determines that temporary economic conditions have resulted in decreased                                          
03       employment opportunities during those months and a reduction in assistance would                                  
04       impose an undue hardship on a family, the department may waive application of this                                
05       subsection with respect to that family.                                                                           
06    * Sec. 3.  AS 47.27.030(c)(2) is repealed.                                                                         
07    * Sec. 4.  The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to                         
08 read:                                                                                                                   
09       TRANSITION: REGULATIONS.  Notwithstanding sec. 6 of this Act, the Department                                      
10 of Health and Social Services may immediately proceed to adopt regulations necessary to                                 
11 implement the changes made by this Act.  A regulation adopted under this section takes effect                           
12 under AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act), but not before the effective date of the                                 
13 statutory change authorizing the regulation.                                                                            
14    * Sec. 5.  Sections 2 and 4 of this Act take effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).                             
15    * Sec. 6.  Except as provided in sec. 5 of this Act, this Act takes effect July 1, 2001.