“§9-8-2. Work requirements.

(a) Beginning October 1, 2018, the department shall implement the work requirements for recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits as required pursuant to 7 U. S. C. §2015(o) in counties where the department determines there is sufficient opportunities for recipients to work or participate in work force training or volunteerism.

(b) If a recipient resides in a county which the department has determined contains sufficient work, work force training or volunteerism opportunities the recipient for supplemental nutrition assistance benefits shall:

(1) Be required to work at least twenty hours per week, averaged monthly, or eighty hours a month; or

(2) Participate in, and comply with, the requirements of a work force training program of twenty hours per week, as determined by the department in rule; or

(3) Volunteer twenty hours per week, as determined by the department in rule; or

(4) Any combination of working, volunteering and/or participating in a work program for a total of twenty hours per week, as determined by the department in rule; or

(5) Participate in, and comply with, a workfare program as set out in 7 CFR 273.24(a)(4).

(c) As determined by the department, if a recipient would have worked an average of twenty hours per week but missed some work for good cause, the recipient shall be considered to have met the work requirement if the absence from work is temporary and the individual retains his or her job. Good cause shall include circumstances beyond the recipient’s control, such as, but not limited to, illness, illness of another household member requiring the presence of the member, a household emergency, or the unavailability of transportation.

(d) If the department determines that a waiver, or an amendment to a waiver, is necessary to implement a policy that complies with 7 CFR 273.24, they shall request the waiver or the amendment to the waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture.

(e) The work requirement is required in all counties on October 1, 2021.

(f) The department shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of §29A-3-1 of this code on the suspension of benefits for recipients who fail to comply with the work requirements as set forth in this section and for a plan for implementation of the work requirements in counties which they deem to have sufficient work or volunteerism opportunities.”

And,

On page seven, section five, line twenty, by inserting a new subsection (d), to read as follows:

“(d) A contract may not include a provision that provides the vendor with a monetary incentive for reducing the number of recipients.”

And relettering the remaining subsection accordingly.

And,

On page eleven, section nine, line seven, by striking out the word “ten” and inserting in lieu thereof the word “twenty”.

And,

On page eleven, section nine, by striking out line ten and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“(c) An individual may respond in writing or electronically. If an individual responds verbally, staff shall note the time and contents of the response in the individual’s file. The response by the individual may:”.