The House Committee on Families, Children and Seniors moved legislation this week placing a true 48-month limit on welfare benefits for able-bodies adults. House Bill 4409, sponsored by Representative Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth) and HB 4410, sponsored by Representative Sharon Tyler (R-Niles), were moved to the House floor on a 7-1-1 vote. Democratic Representative Marilyn Lane (D-Fraser) joined the Committee’s Republicans in supporting the measure, while the Committee’s Democratic Vice Chair, Representative Dian Slavens (D-Canton) abstained.
Democratic members of the Committee offered several amendments, such as an effort to reduce the penalty for a second violation of the self-sufficiency plan and a proposal for further exemptions in high unemployment areas. Rep. Lane was successful in winning an amendment providing for a 90-day “pause” of the clock to determine if a person is a victim of domestic violence.
Labels: welfare lifetime limit