Bill > S943

This bill, known as the Welfare Integrity Now for Children and Families Act of 2011 (or WIN for Children and Families Act), amends the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which provides financial assistance to low-income families. The key provision requires states receiving TANF grants to implement policies and practices that prevent this assistance from being used for purchases at liquor stores, casinos or other gambling establishments, or strip clubs. The bill defines "liquor store" to exclude grocery stores that sell both alcohol and staple foods, and similarly excludes grocery stores from the definition of "casino, gambling casino, or gaming establishment" even if they are located within or adjacent to such facilities. Furthermore, the bill establishes administrative penalties for states that fail to report on their implementation of these spending restrictions or are found not to have enforced them within two years of the bill's enactment, potentially reducing their federal TANF grant by 5 percent for each year of non-compliance, though the penalty can be reduced based on the severity of non-compliance and individual fraudulent attempts to circumvent the rules will not penalize the state.