Minors on Welfare Residency Act Exposed

The Minors on Welfare Residency Act is listed under ALEC's Health and Human Services Task Force, however, it does not include information on when it was approved. ALEC has attempted to distance itself from this piece of legislation after the launch of ALECexposed.org in 2011, but it has done nothing to get it repealed in the states where it previously pushed for it to be made into law.

ALEC Bill Text

Summary

There is a higher rate of welfare dependency by teenage, single parents who set up their own residence then those who remain at home. This Act requires that single, teenage parents live at home in order to receive TANF benefits. By continuing adult supervision in the young parent's life, the family unit is thereby strengthened.

Model Legislation

{Title, enacting clause, etc.}

Section 1.

Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, no Temprorary Assistance for Needy Families(TANF) grant payment shall be made on behalf of a minor under the age of eighteen who has never married and who has a child or is pregnant unless such minor resides with a parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative, or in a foster home, maternity home, or other adult-supervised living arrangement.

Section 2.

Exceptions to this Act shall be allowed in accordance with requirements of the Federal Family Support Act of 1988 as in any of the following circumstances:

(A) the individual has no parent or legal guardian who is living or the whereabouts of the individual's parent or legal guardian are unknown; or

(B) the state determines that the physical health or safety of the individual or his or her child would be jeopardized; or

(C) the individual has lived apart from his or her parent or legal guardian for a period of at least one year prior to the birth of the child or applying for benefits.

Section 3. {Severability clause.}

Section 4. {Repealer clause.}

Section 5. {Effective date.}