PRINTER'S NO. 501
No. 454 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY VANCE, EARLL, BOSCOLA, BROWNE, ERICKSON, FOLMER,
FONTANA, O'PAKE, WASHINGTON, WAUGH, M. WHITE AND C. WILLIAMS,
MARCH 14, 2007
REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE, MARCH 14, 2007
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An
2 act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public
3 welfare laws of the Commonwealth," further providing for
4 establishment of RESET and for eligibility.
5 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
6 hereby enacts as follows:
7 Section 1. Sections 405.1(a.3) and 432(3)(i)(C) of the act
8 of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare
9 Code, amended May 16, 1996 (P.L.175, No.35), are amended to
10 read:
11 Section 405.1. Establishment of RESET.--* * *
12 (a.3) An applicant or recipient may be exempt from the
13 requirements of subsection (a.2) if any of the following apply:
14 (1) The applicant or recipient has been assessed by a
15 physician, certified registered nurse practitioner, physician
16 assistant or psychologist as having a verified physical or
17 mental disability which temporarily or permanently precludes the
18 applicant or recipient from any form of employment or work-
1 related activity. The verification of the physical or mental
2 disability shall be established by written documentation in a
3 form prescribed by the department and shall be based on
4 acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques, rather
5 than a statement of symptoms by the applicant or recipient. The
6 department may also require the applicant or recipient to submit
7 to an independent examination as a condition of receiving
8 assistance. An applicant or recipient with a verified physical
9 or mental disability that is temporary in nature must pursue
10 appropriate treatment as a condition of receiving assistance.
11 (2) The applicant or recipient is a specified relative
12 caring for a child who is under six years of age and for whom
13 alternate child care arrangements are unavailable.
14 (3) The applicant or recipient is under eighteen years of
15 age. An applicant or recipient under this clause shall be
16 required to pursue a high school diploma or a certificate of
17 high school equivalency.
18 * * *
19 Section 432. Eligibility.--Except as hereinafter otherwise
20 provided, and subject to the rules, regulations, and standards
21 established by the department, both as to eligibility for
22 assistance and as to its nature and extent, needy persons of the
23 classes defined in clauses (1), (2), and (3) shall be eligible
24 for assistance:
25 * * *
26 (3) Other persons who are citizens of the United States, or
27 lawfully admitted aliens who are eligible for general
28 assistance.
29 (i) Persons who may be eligible for general assistance for
30 an indeterminate period as a result of medical, social or
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1 related circumstances shall be limited to:
2 * * *
3 (C) A person who has been assessed by a physician, certified
4 registered nurse practitioner, physician assistant or
5 psychologist as having a verified physical or mental disability
6 which temporarily or permanently precludes him or her from any
7 gainful employment. The verification of the physical or mental
8 disability must be established by written documentation in a
9 form prescribed by the department and must be based on
10 acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques, rather
11 than a statement of symptoms by the applicant or recipient. The
12 department may also require the applicant or recipient to submit
13 to an independent examination as a condition of receiving
14 assistance. An applicant or recipient with a verified physical
15 or mental disability which is temporary in nature shall pursue
16 appropriate treatment as a condition of receiving assistance.
17 * * *
18 Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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