Bill > HB1363

This bill amends Mississippi's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program regulations to expand work requirements for benefit recipients. Specifically, the bill modifies existing law to require that all TANF program enrollees, regardless of age, must either be compliant with work requirements or engaged in educational or vocational advancement before receiving benefits. The bill maintains strict compliance rules, including a three-month full-household sanction for the first instance of noncompliance and complete benefit termination for a second instance of noncompliance. Recipients must sign a written agreement outlining eligibility requirements and potential penalties, and benefits can be denied to an entire household if any adult member is found to have committed benefits fraud. The changes to the TANF program will take effect on July 1, 2025, providing state agencies time to implement the new requirements. The goal appears to be encouraging program participants to actively pursue employment or educational opportunities as a condition of receiving financial assistance.

Health and Social Services

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB1363.xml