Workforce Services Interim Committee
Members Present:
Sen. Robert F. Montgomery, Chair
Rep. Orville D. Carnahan, Chair
Sen. Robert M. Muhlestein
Sen. Millie M. Peterson
Rep. Sheryl L. Allen
Members Absent:
Sen. Lorin V. Jones
Sen. Blaze D. Wharton
Rep. Jeff Alexander
Rep. Duane Bourdeaux
Rep. Lloyd W. Frandsen
Rep. Steve Barth
Rep. Margaret Dayton
Rep. Brent H. Goodfellow
Rep. J. Brent Haymond
Rep. Bryan D. Holladay
Rep. Nora B. Stephens
Staff Present:
Arthur L. Hunsaker,
Research Analyst
R. Chet Loftis,
Associate General Counsel
Barbara A. Teuscher,
Legislative Secretary
Note: Names of others present and copies of information distributed at the meeting are on file in the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.
1. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes of Meeting Held May 20, 1998
MOTION: Sen. Peterson moved to approve the May 20, 1998 minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Staff Report: Current Workforce Services - related federal legislation
Mr. Hunsaker reviewed current federal legislation regarding vocational rehabilitation. Mr. Hunsaker explained S. 1579, Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998, and how it was amended into S. 1186, Workforce Investment Partnership Act of 1997. In its current form, S. 1186 makes substantial modifications to the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973. H.R. 1385, Employment, 0Training, and Literacy Enhancement Act of 1997, takes a more narrow approach. When debated on the Senate floor, the text of H.R. 1385 was deleted and S. 1186 inserted in its place. A conference committee is currently resolving the matter.
Committee discussion and public input followed Mr. Hunsaker's presentation.
Mr. Hunsaker said he received notification from the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) that the 1999 House Congressional budget resolution will likely trigger a $10 billion cut in TANF money to run state programs. However, there are indications that the Senate will not support the cuts.
3. Families, Agencies, and Communities Together for Children and Youth at Risk (FACT)
Note: A copy of Ms. Chacon's presentation is on file in the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.
Ms. Emma Chacon, Department of Human Services, distributed a handout from which she gave her presentation. She specifically discussed areas in which ORS works interacts with the Department of Workforce Services (WFS). Ms. Chacon then gave an overview of the office, its functions, services, technology, funding sources, and highlighted FY 1998 accomplishments. Ms. Chacon said the emphasis in child support is not on producing revenue for the state but to provide services to families and children. She then explained the federal child support program and mentioned legislation that is going through Congress and commented on what the federal child support program allows the department to do.
Ms. Chacon explained the child support program. She said there are approximately eighty- thousand cases currently. She then discussed medical third party liability and the medicaid program as well. She indicated the department is receiving about 200 referrals per month. Ms. Chacon further discussed the program and the department's responsibilities.
Chair Montgomery said he had received several calls from his constituents who are keeping their support payments current, but receive letters from ORS threatening them with sanctions for nonpayment.
Ms. Chacon's suggested they follow the office's complaint process. In some cases, support is sent directly to the ex-spouse, which prevents ORS from crediting the payment in favor of the paying spouse. This can be resolved if evidence of payment, such as canceled checks or other verification, is presented to ORS.
Ms. Chacon discussed the changes made to the child support program since its creation in 1975. She explained how eligibility for the program is determined, the services the department provides, and the process used to obtain information from the client.
Rep. Allen asked Ms. Chacon if her department assists legal immigrants? Ms. Chacon said they do and explained some of the challenges involved. Ms. Chacon briefly discussed interstate collection, i.e., her office's involvement with families receiving support from an out-of-state ex- spouse and, alternately, those living in Utah who are obligated to pay an out-of-state ex-spouse and family.
Rep. Haymond asked what percentage of Utah's recovery effort seeks money from outside the state for support of Utah families, and what percentage reflects money leaving the state.
Ms. Chacon said that there are approximately 7,500 cases in which the non-custodial parent lives out of state and the custodial parent lives in state. Conversely there are approximately 20,224 cases in which the custodial parent lives in state and the non-custodial lives out of state.
She discussed highlights of welfare reform and indicated that ORS and WFS worked together in successfully establishing the new hire registry.
Committee discussion and public comment followed Ms. Chacon's presentation.
Chair Montgomery suggested ORS inform legislators about its activities and how ORS can be used as a resource for constituents.
Chair Montgomery asked Ms. Chacon if she anticipated any needed changes in the laws governing ORS during the next legislative session. She indicated ORS has adequate authority and statutes in place at the present time. However, the statute regarding some of the sanctions for fraud in some programs could be clarified. Ms. Chacon said ORS will be working with WFS in preparing legislation.
4. Adjourn
Rep. Haymond moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:15 a.m. The motion passed unanimously.
F:\USERS\WOR\INTERIM\AG-MN\6-17-98.MIN
[Back to the Interim Directory][Back to the Monthly Schedule][Back to the Committee Listing] Utah State Legislature