AB 534

The Wisconsin Works (W-2) program provides work experience and benefits for

low-income custodial parents who are at least 18 years old, as well as job search

assistance to noncustodial parents who are required to pay child support, to minor

custodial parents, and to pregnant women who are not custodial parents. Under

Wisconsin Shares, which is also part of the W-2 program, an individual who is the

parent of a child under the age of 13 or, if the child is disabled, under the age of 19,

who needs child care services to participate in various educational or work activities,

and who satisfies other eligibility criteria, may receive a child care subsidy for child

care services. The W-2 program is currently administered by the Department of

Children and Families (DCF). DCF also administers a program that provides

emergency assistance to needy persons in cases of fire, flood, natural disaster, energy

crisis, or homelessness or impending homelessness (emergency assistance program).

Under current law, if a court finds or if it is determined after an administrative

hearing that an individual has intentionally violated any statute or rule governing

the W-2 program on three separate occasions, a W-2 agency may permanently deny

the individual benefits under the W-2 program. Under this bill, a W-2 agency, an

entity administering Wisconsin Shares, or DCF is required deny an individual

benefits under the W-2 program or the emergency assistance program as follows:

1. For a first intentional program violation, for six months.

2. For a second intentional program violation, for one year.

3. For a third intentional program violation, permanently.

Under the bill, an intentional program violation is defined as making a false or

misleading statement, intentionally misrepresenting or withholding facts, or

committing any act that constitutes a violation of state or federal law for the purpose

of using, presenting, transferring, acquiring, receiving, possessing, or trafficking

public assistance benefits. The bill also specifies that DCF, a W-2 agency, or an entity

administering Wisconsin Shares determines whether an individual has committed

an intentional program violation for purposes of denying benefits.