Pub. L. 117-103, div. W, tit. VII, sec. 703 (as amended)

PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES PROGRAM.

Year: 2025Length: 805 wordsOfficial source
SEC. 703. PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES PROGRAM. (a) TANF Personnel Training.— (1) In general.—Section 402(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 602(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: “(8) Certification that the state will provide information to victims of sexual harassment or survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.— “(A) In general.—A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State has established and is enforcing standards and procedures to— “(i) ensure that applicants and potential applicants for assistance under the State program funded under this part are notified of assistance made available by the State to victims of sexual harassment and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; “(ii) ensure that case workers and other agency personnel responsible for administering the State program funded under this part are trained in— “(I) the nature and dynamics of sexual harassment and domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking; “(II) State standards and procedures relating to the prevention of, and assistance for, individuals who are victims of sexual harassment or survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and “(III) methods of ascertaining and ensuring the confidentiality of personal information and documentation related to applicants for assistance and their children who have provided notice about their experiences of sexual harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and “(iii) ensure that, if a State has elected to establish and enforce standards and procedures regarding the screening for, and identification of, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking pursuant to paragraph (7)— “(I) the State program funded under this part provides information about the options under this part to current and potential beneficiaries; and “(II) case workers and other agency personnel responsible for administering the State program funded under this part are provided with training regarding State standards and procedures pursuant to paragraph (7). “(B) Definitions.—For purposes of this paragraph— “(i) the term ‘sexual harassment’ means hostile, intimidating, or oppressive behavior based on sex that creates an offensive work environment; “(ii) the term ‘domestic violence’ has the meaning given such term in paragraph (7); and “(iii) the terms ‘sexual assault’ and ‘stalking’ have the meanings given such terms in section 40002 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291).” . (2) [42 U.S.C. 602 note] Implementation.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, each State shall submit the certification required under paragraph (8) of subsection (a) of section 402 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 602), as added by paragraph (1), in the form of an amendment to the State’s plan submitted under such section. A State shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirement of such paragraph (8) before the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. (b) [42 U.S.C. 602 note] National Grant Program for Developing a Model Training Program for TANF Personnel Training.— (1) Grants authorized.— (A) Model training program.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this subsection referred to as the “Secretary”) shall— (i) develop and disseminate a model training program (and related materials) for the training required under section 402(a)(8) of the Social Security Act, and if the State so elects, section 402(a)(7) of such Act; and (ii) provide technical assistance with respect to such model training program to eligible States (as defined in section 402 of the Social Security Act). (B) Grants.—In developing the model training program under subparagraph (A)(i), the Secretary may award grants and contracts and may develop such program in cooperation with an eligible partner. (2) Eligible partner defined.—For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “eligible partner” means an entity that is— (A) a State or tribal domestic violence coalition or sexual assault coalition; or (B) a State or local victim service provider with recognized expertise in the dynamics of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking whose primary mission is to provide services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, including a rape crisis center or domestic violence program. (3) Report.— (A) Report to congress.—Not later than 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report on the program established under this subsection. (B) Report available to public.—The Secretary shall establish procedures for the dissemination to the public of the report submitted under subparagraph (A) not later than 10 days after the submission of such report to Congress under such subparagraph. Such procedures shall include the use of the internet to disseminate such report. (4) Authorization of appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated $3,000,000 to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.
Cross-references to the US Code
42 U.S.C. 602 note
Pub. L. 117-103, div. W, tit. VII, sec. 703 (as amended): PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES PROGRAM. | Justis AI