The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), also known as the Welfare Reform Act,
allowed every state to create a program addressing family violence for
temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) recipients.
(1) For TANF/state funded assistance (SFA),
family violence is when a recipient, or family member or household member has
been subjected by another family member or household member as defined in
RCW
7.105.010 to any of the following:
(a) Physical acts that resulted in, or
threatened to result in, physical injury;
(b) Sexual abuse;
(c) Sexual activity involving a dependent
child;
(d) Being forced as the
caretaker relative of a dependent child to engage in nonconsensual sexual acts
or activities;
(e) Threats of or
attempts at, physical sexual abuse;
(f) Mental abuse;
(g) Neglect or deprivation of medical care;
or
(h) Stalking.
(2) DSHS must:
(a) Screen and identify adults, minor teen
parents, or emancipated teens getting TANF/SFA for a history of family
violence;
(b) Notify in writing and
verbally adults, minor teen parents, or emancipated teens getting TANF/SFA
about the Family Violence Amendment;
(c) Maintain confidentiality as stated in
RCW
74.04.060;
(d) Refer individuals needing counseling to
supportive services;
(e) Waive
WorkFirst requirements in cases where the requirements would make it more
difficult to escape family violence, unfairly penalize victims of family
violence, or place victims at further risk of family violence. This may
include:
(i) Time limits for TANF/SFA
recipients, for as long as necessary (after 52 months of receiving
TANF/SFA);
(ii) Cooperation with
the division of child support.
(f) Develop specialized work activities for
family violence clients, as defined in subsection (1) of this section if
participation in work activities would place the recipients at further risk of
family violence.
Notes
Wash. Admin.
Code §
388-61-001
Amended by
WSR
23-08-082, Filed 4/5/2023, effective
5/6/2023
Statutory Authority:
RCW
74.04.050,
74.08.090, and
74.08A.010. 04-21-028, §
388-61-001, filed 10/13/04, effective 12/1/04. Statutory Authority:
Public Law
104-193,
Section
103, Subsection 408(a)(7)(c)(iii), HB 3901,
section 103(4),
RCW
74.08A.010,
74.04.050 and
74.08.090. 98-07-040, §
388-61-001, filed 3/12/98, effective 4/12/98. Statutory Authority:
RCW
74.04.050,
74.08.090 and
74.04.057. 97-20-124, §
388-61-001, filed 10/1/97, effective
11/1/97.