Summary:
Welfare Reform and Upward Mobility Act - Amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to declare that it should be the purpose of the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly the food stamp program) to increase employment, encourage healthy marriage, and promote prosperous self-sufficiency, which means the ability of households to maintain an income above the poverty level without services and benefits from the federal government.

Declares that food or a food product shall be considered a food under such Act only if it is a bare essential (as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture [USDA]).

Defines "able-bodied, work capable adult" and "physically or mentally incapable of work."

Prescribes additional conditions of participation, denying SNAP eligibility, for instance, to any able-bodied, work-capable adult who: (1) refuses to register for employment or without good cause accept an offer of employment at a certain wage, (2) refuses without good cause to give a state agency sufficient information of his or her employment status or job availability, (3) voluntarily quits a job or reduces work effort below 30 hours a week unless another adult in the same family unit increases employment to make up the difference, or (4) is on strike because of a labor dispute other than a lockout.

Revises SNAP eligibility requirements for students with dependent children.

Denies SNAP eligibility to members of a program-eligible family required by the state agency to participate in work activation unless the relevant one or more adults in such family comply with the work activation standards. Terminates benefits for all family members for failure to participate in work activation during a given month.

Prescribes work activation standards for a family unit with adult members required to participate in work activation.

Requires each state participating in SNAP to carry out a work activation program whose goals are to: (1) encourage and assist able-bodied, work-capable adult SNAP recipients to obtain paid employment; (2) reduce dependence on government assistance; and (3) ensure that able-bodied, work-capable adult SNAP recipients make a contribution to society and the taxpayers in exchange for assistance received.

Sets forth mandatory state work activation participation rates.

Prescribes requirements for: (1) funding reductions as a penalty for inadequate state performance, (2) restoration in funding resulting from improved state performance, and (3) rewards to states for reducing government dependence.

Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to terminate its temporary increase in SNAP benefits.

Requires the President's budget to include the total level of means-tested welfare spending by the federal government as well as the total by all states, local governments, and the federal government for the most recent year for which such data is available, and estimated levels for the fiscal year during which the budget submission is made.

Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to define "means-tested welfare spending" and specifies the federal programs on which welfare spending shall be means-tested, and which federal programs shall not be.

Requires reports to congressional budget committees and the concurrent resolution on the budget to include specified information with respect to means-tested welfare spending, and requires a point of order in both chambers of Congress if the means-tested welfare spending limit is to be exceeded.

Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to states to reward reductions in poverty and government dependence and increases in self-sufficiency.

Restricts funding for health benefits coverage that includes abortion.

welfare reform upward mobility act_-_amends food_and_nutrition_act_of_2008 declare purpose supplemental nutrition assistance program snap food stamp program increase employment encourage healthy marriage promote self sufficiency means ability households maintain income poverty level services benefits federal_government declares food food product shall considered food act essential determined secretary agriculture usda defines able work capable adult physically mentally incapable work prescribes additional conditions participation denying snap eligibility instance able work capable adult refuses register employment good cause accept offer employment certain wage refuses good cause state agency sufficient information employment status job availability voluntarily job reduces work effort hours week adult family unit increases employment difference strike labor dispute lockout revises snap eligibility requirements students dependent children denies snap eligibility members program eligible family required state agency participate work activation relevant adults family comply work activation standards terminates benefits family members failure participate work activation given month prescribes work activation standards family unit adult members required participate work activation requires state participating snap carry work activation program goals encourage assist able work capable adult snap recipients obtain paid employment reduce dependence government assistance ensure able work capable adult snap recipients contribution society taxpayers exchange assistance received sets forth mandatory state work activation participation rates prescribes requirements funding reductions penalty inadequate state performance restoration funding resulting improved state performance rewards states reducing government dependence amends american_recovery_and_reinvestment_act terminate temporary increase snap benefits requires president budget include total level means tested welfare spending federal_government total states local governments federal_government recent year data available estimated levels fiscal year budget submission amends congressional_budget_act define means tested welfare spending specifies federal programs welfare spending shall means tested federal programs shall requires reports congressional_budget committees concurrent resolution budget include specified information respect means tested welfare spending requires point order chambers congress means tested welfare spending limit exceeded amends social_security_act ssa authorize secretary health_and_human_services hhs grants states reward reductions poverty government dependence increases self sufficiency restricts funding health benefits coverage includes abortion


Summary:
Half in Ten Act of 2015

 Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services a Federal Interagency Working Group on Reducing Poverty, which shall develop a National Strategy to reduce the number of persons living in poverty in America in half within 10 years after release of the 2014 Census Report on Income and Poverty in the United States: 2013.

half act establishes department_of_health_and_human_services federal interagency_working_group reducing poverty shall develop national strategy reduce number persons living poverty america half years release census report income poverty united_states


Summary:
Help Americans in Need Develop Their Ultimate Potential Act or the HAND UP Act

 Establishes a framework for the head of a state entity or of a sub-state entity administering two or more qualified federal programs to participate in a demonstration project, approved by the administering Secretary, that supports individuals and families with the goal of moving them towards self-sufficiency, reducing welfare dependence, and increasing work and earnings. Authorizes the administering Secretary to waive program requirements for purposes of the demonstration.

Specifies as qualified federal programs: (1) the TANF program under part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSAct), (2) the Block Grants to States for Social Services under SSAct title XX, (3) activities funded under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 or under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; (4) activities funded under the United States Housing Act of 1937, and (5) the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.

Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require an annual public housing agency plan for a public housing agency to contain certain demonstration project application information.

help americans need develop ultimate potential act hand act establishes framework head state entity sub state entity administering qualified federal programs participate demonstration project approved administering secretary supports individuals families goal moving self sufficiency reducing welfare dependence increasing work earnings authorizes administering secretary waive program requirements purposes demonstration specifies qualified federal programs tanf program temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act ssact block grants states social_services ssact title activities funded workforce investment act workforce innovation opportunity act activities funded united_states_housing_act supplemental nutrition assistance program food_and_nutrition_act_of_2008 amends united_states_housing_act require annual public housing agency plan public housing agency contain certain demonstration project application information


Summary:
State Flexibility and Workforce Requirement Act of 2015

 Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit states to impose workforce requirements for nondisabled individuals made eligible for Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

state flexibility workforce requirement act amends title xix medicaid social_security_act permit states impose workforce requirements nondisabled individuals eligible medicaid patient_protection affordable care act


Summary:
Earned Income Tax Credit Improvement and Simplification Act 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the earned income tax credit, to: (1) make permanent the increase in the rate of such credit for taxpayers with three or more qualifying children and the reduction in the amount of the marriage penalty for such credit; (2) allow such credit for an individual with no qualifying children who has attained the age of 21 but not 25 and is not a full-time student, and whose qualifying children do not have valid social security numbers; (3) revise eligibility rules relating to married individuals living apart and qualifying children claimed by another family member; and (4) repeal the denial of such credit for taxpayers with excess investment income.

earned income tax credit improvement simplification act amends_the_internal_revenue_code respect earned income tax credit permanent increase rate credit taxpayers qualifying children reduction marriage penalty credit allow credit individual qualifying children attained age time student qualifying children valid social_security numbers revise eligibility rules relating married individuals living apart qualifying children claimed family member repeal denial credit taxpayers excess investment income


Summary:
Preserving the Work Requirement for Welfare Act

 Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from finalizing, implementing, enforcing, or otherwise taking any action to give effect to the Information Memorandum dated July 12, 2012 (Transmittal No. TANF-ACF-IM-2012-03), or to any administrative action relating to the same subject matter or that reflects the same or similar policies.

Prohibits the Secretary also from authorizing, approving, modifying, or extending any experimental, pilot, or demonstration project under the Social Security Act (SSAct) that: (1) waives compliance with mandatory work requirements of SSAct title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF), or (2) authorizes an expenditure not otherwise allowable under a state TANF program with respect to compliance with such work requirements.

Rescinds and nullifies any waiver relating to the subject matter of the Information Memorandum granted before the enactment of this Act.

preserving work requirement welfare act prohibits secretary health_and_human_services finalizing implementing enforcing taking action effect information memorandum dated july transmittal tanf administrative action relating subject matter reflects similar policies prohibits secretary authorizing approving modifying extending experimental pilot demonstration project social_security_act ssact waives compliance mandatory work requirements ssact title temporary_assistance needy families tanf authorizes expenditure allowable state tanf program respect compliance work requirements rescinds nullifies waiver relating subject matter information memorandum granted enactment act


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny the earned income tax credit to aliens who have been granted employment authorization under a program of temporary deportation relief that has not been specifically established by law.

bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code deny earned income tax credit aliens granted employment authorization program temporary deportation relief specifically established law


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny the earned income tax credit to a taxpayer to whom a social security number was issued after the close of the taxable year for which the credit is being claimed, unless such taxpayer can demonstrate eligibility for the social security number in such taxable year. A valid social security number is required to claim the earned income tax credit.

bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code deny earned income tax credit taxpayer social_security number issued close taxable year credit claimed taxpayer demonstrate eligibility social_security number taxable year valid social_security number required claim earned income tax credit


Summary:
No Free Rides Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny the earned income tax credit to any taxpayer whose identifying social security number was issued pursuant to a work authorization obtained under any program not specifically established by law that provides aliens deferred action from removal.

free act amends_the_internal_revenue_code deny earned income tax credit taxpayer identifying social_security number issued pursuant work authorization obtained program specifically established law provides aliens deferred action removal


Summary:
Skills First Act of 2015

This bill amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to increase from 12 to 36 the number of months of vocational educational training that may be counted as a work activity.

skills act bill amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act increase number months vocational educational training counted work activity


Summary:
No Amnesty Tax Refunds for Illegals Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny the earned income tax credit to a taxpayer to whom a social security number was issued after the close of the taxable year for which such credit is being claimed, unless the taxpayer can demonstrate citizenship or lawful presence in the United States and eligibility for such social security number in such taxable year. Requires tax return preparers to obtain from such a taxpayer social security and immigration status information relating to eligibility for such credit. Requires the Social Security Administration to maintain records of each social security account number issued to any individual who receives a grant of deferred action on removal pursuant to current Department of Homeland Security guidelines.

amnesty tax refunds act amends_the_internal_revenue_code deny earned income tax credit taxpayer social_security number issued close taxable year credit claimed taxpayer demonstrate citizenship lawful presence united_states eligibility social_security number taxable year requires tax return preparers obtain taxpayer social_security immigration status information relating eligibility credit requires social_security_administration maintain records social_security account number issued individual receives grant deferred action removal pursuant current department_of_homeland_security guidelines


Summary:
Fairness for Americans in Internal Revenue Refunds Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to prevent a taxpayer whose social security number was issued for purposes of granting a work authorization under a deferred action on removal program from claiming an earned income tax credit using such social security number. The bill directs: (1) the Department of Homeland Security to place a notation on employment authorization cards that the holder of such card has received it under a deferred action on removal program, and (2) the Social Security Administration to maintain a record of all social security account numbers issued to individuals under a deferred action on removal program.

fairness americans internal_revenue refunds act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code prevent taxpayer social_security number issued purposes granting work authorization deferred action removal program claiming earned income tax credit social_security number bill directs department_of_homeland_security place notation employment authorization cards holder card received deferred action removal program social_security_administration maintain record social_security account numbers issued individuals deferred action removal program


Summary:
Tax Fairness for All Families Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the earned income tax credit, to provide for an increased credit percentage for taxpayers with more than three qualifying children.

tax fairness families act amends_the_internal_revenue_code respect earned income tax credit provide increased credit percentage taxpayers qualifying children


Summary:
Small Company Disclosure Simplification Act

 Exempts emerging growth companies and issuers with total annual gross revenues of less than $250 million from the requirements to use Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) for financial statements and other mandatory periodic reporting filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Allows such companies, however, to elect to use XBRL for such reporting.

Directs the SEC to: (1) analyze the costs and benefits to such issuers of the requirements to use XBRL for financial statements and other mandatory periodic reporting; and (2) report to certain congressional committees on the results of such analysis as well as on progress in implementing XBRL reporting within the SEC, and use of XBRL data by the SEC and by investors.

small company disclosure simplification act exempts emerging growth companies issuers total annual gross revenues million requirements use business reporting language financial statements mandatory periodic reporting filed securities_and_exchange_commission sec allows companies elect use reporting directs sec analyze costs benefits issuers requirements use financial statements mandatory periodic reporting report certain congressional committees results analysis progress implementing reporting sec use data sec investors


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Small Company Disclosure Simplification Act

 (Sec. 2) This bill exempts emerging growth companies and issuers with total annual gross revenues of less than $250 million from the requirement to use Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) for financial statements and other mandatory periodic reporting filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Such companies, however, may elect to use XBRL for such reporting.

(Sec. 3) The SEC shall: (1) analyze the costs and benefits to such issuers of the requirement to use XBRL for financial statements and other mandatory periodic reporting; and (2) report to certain congressional committees on the results of such analysis as well as on progress in implementing XBRL reporting within the SEC, and use of XBRL data by the SEC and by investors.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure small company disclosure simplification act sec bill exempts emerging growth companies issuers total annual gross revenues million requirement use business reporting language financial statements mandatory periodic reporting filed securities_and_exchange_commission sec companies elect use reporting sec sec shall analyze costs benefits issuers requirement use financial statements mandatory periodic reporting report certain congressional committees results analysis progress implementing reporting sec use data sec investors


Summary:
Fair Adjustment and Income Revenue for Social Security Act or the FAIR Social Security Act

This bill repeals the cap on the amount of income ($118,500 in 2015) that is subject to the employment or self-employment tax for funding social security benefits. The bill also reallocates employment and self-employment tax revenues to increase Social Security Trust Fund solvency.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor must prepare and publish an index for each calendar month to be known as the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers that indicates changes in expenditures for consumption that are typical for individuals who are 62 years of age or older. This Index will be used to adjust benefit amounts under the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program and Medicare.

fair adjustment income revenue social_security_act fair social_security_act bill repeals cap income subject employment self employment tax funding social_security benefits bill employment self employment tax revenues increase social_security_trust_fund solvency bureau_of_labor_statistics department_of_labor prepare publish index calendar month known consumer price index elderly_consumers indicates changes expenditures consumption typical individuals years age older index adjust benefit amounts old age survivors disability_insurance program medicare


Summary:
Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2015

This bill establishes in the Administration for Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the Federal Interagency Working Group on Reducing Child Poverty.

The Working Group as its primary goal shall develop a national plan to reduce:

 within 10 years the number of children living in poverty in the United States to half the number cited in the report of the U.S. Census Bureau on Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2013; within the same 10 years the number of children living in extreme poverty in the United States to zero; and within 20 years the number of children living in poverty, extreme or otherwise, in the United States to zero. HHS shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences for two public workshops to provide the Working Group with information to assist in the development of the plan.

child poverty reduction act bill establishes administration children_and_families_of_the_department_of_health_and_human_services hhs federal interagency_working_group reducing child poverty working_group primary goal shall develop national plan reduce years number children living poverty united_states half number cited report census bureau income poverty health insurance coverage united_states years number children living extreme poverty united_states zero years number children living poverty extreme united_states zero hhs shall enter agreement national_academy_of_sciences public workshops provide working_group information assist development plan


Summary:
Carried Interest Fairness Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) set forth a special rule for the inclusion in gross income of partnership interests transferred in connection with the performance of services, (2) treat as ordinary income the net capital gain with respect to an investment services partnership interest except to the extent such gain is attributable to a partner's qualified capital interest, (3) exempt income from investment services partnership interests from treatment as qualifying income of a publicly traded partnership, (4) exempt certain family partnerships from the application of this Act; (5) increase the penalty for underpayments of tax resulting from failure to treat income from an investment services partnership interest as ordinary income, and (6) include income and loss from an investment services partnership interest for purposes of determining net earnings from self-employment and applicable self-employment taxes.

Defines "investment services partnership interest" as any interest in a partnership held by a person who provides services to a partnership by: (1) advising the partnership about investing in, purchasing, or selling specified assets; (2) managing, acquiring, or disposing of specified assets; or (3) arranging financing with respect to acquiring specified assets.

carried interest fairness act amends_the_internal_revenue_code set forth special rule inclusion gross income partnership interests transferred connection performance services treat ordinary income net capital gain respect investment services partnership interest extent gain attributable partner qualified capital interest exempt income investment services partnership interests treatment qualifying income publicly traded partnership exempt certain family partnerships application act increase penalty underpayments tax resulting failure treat income investment services partnership interest ordinary income include income loss investment services partnership interest purposes determining net earnings self employment applicable self employment taxes defines investment services partnership interest interest partnership held person provides services partnership advising partnership investing purchasing selling specified assets managing acquiring disposing specified assets arranging financing respect acquiring specified assets


Summary:
Improving Employment Outcomes of TANF Recipients Act

 (Sec. 2) This bill amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to replace the current program of bonus grants for high performing states with a program requiring each state to collect and report information necessary to measure the state's level of performance for FY2018 and each ensuing fiscal year for each employment percentage, retention percentage, and earnings advancement measure for adults in unsubsidized employment after exiting the TANF program (indicators). The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall use the information collected for FY2018 to establish the baseline level of performance of each state for each indicator.

The state shall reach agreement with HHS: (1) on the requisite level of performance for each indicator for FY2019-FY2020; and (2) before FY2021 on the requisite level of performance for each indicator for that fiscal year.

HHS shall revise the requisite levels of performance for a fiscal year and a state to reflect the actual economic conditions and characteristics of participants.

HHS shall use an objective statistical model to make such performance level adjustments, and shall consult with the Department of Labor to develop a statistical adjustment model similar to one described in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

HHS shall also develop a template which each state shall use to report on outcomes achieved under the new program or any other state program funded with qualified state expenditures.

improving employment outcomes tanf recipients act sec bill amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act replace current program bonus grants high performing states program requiring state collect report information necessary measure state level performance fy2018 ensuing fiscal year employment percentage retention percentage earnings advancement measure adults unsubsidized employment exiting tanf program indicators department_of_health_and_human_services hhs shall use information collected fy2018 establish baseline level performance state indicator state shall reach agreement hhs requisite level performance indicator fy2019 fy2020 fy2021 requisite level performance indicator fiscal year hhs shall revise requisite levels performance fiscal year state reflect actual economic conditions characteristics participants hhs shall use objective statistical model performance level adjustments shall consult department_of_labor develop statistical adjustment model similar described workforce innovation opportunity act hhs shall develop template state shall use report outcomes achieved new program state program funded qualified state expenditures


Summary:
Preventing Illegal Immigrants From Abusing Tax Welfare Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) deny the earned income tax credit to any individual who is not a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States, and (2) require any taxpayer who is claiming the refundable portion of the child tax credit to provide the social security number of such taxpayer and of each qualifying child to whom a credit is allowed.

preventing illegal immigrants tax welfare act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code deny earned income tax credit individual citizen lawful permanent resident united_states require taxpayer claiming refundable portion child tax credit provide social_security number taxpayer qualifying child credit allowed


Summary:
TANF Accountability and Integrity Improvement Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to set a limit on nongovernmental third-party contributions counted as qualified state expenditures used in determining whether a state maintains a certain level of historic state expenditures or else faces an associated penalty with a reduction in the state TANF grant.

Qualified state expenditures shall exclude:

 the amount (if any) by which the value of all goods and services provided by a source other than the state or a local government during the fiscal year exceeds the value of all goods and services claimed by the state as qualified state expenditures for FY2016, and any amount expended for medical services.

tanf accountability integrity improvement act sec bill amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act set limit nongovernmental party contributions counted qualified state expenditures determining state maintains certain level historic state expenditures faces associated penalty reduction state tanf grant qualified state expenditures shall exclude value goods services provided source state local government fiscal year exceeds value goods services claimed state qualified state expenditures fy2016 expended medical services


Summary:
Reducing Poverty through Employment Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to make it a purpose of the TANF program to reduce child poverty by increasing employment entry, retention, and advancement of needy parents.

reducing poverty employment act sec bill amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act purpose tanf program reduce child poverty increasing employment entry retention advancement needy parents


Summary:
Using Evidence to Move Welfare Recipients into Work Act

This bill amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to direct the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a database of the projects that used a proven approach or a promising approach in moving welfare recipients into work, which shall be called the What Works Clearinghouse of Proven and Promising Projects to Move Welfare Recipients into Work.

evidence welfare recipients work act bill amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act direct department_of_health_and_human_services develop database projects proven approach promising approach moving welfare recipients work shall called works clearinghouse proven promising projects welfare recipients work


Summary:
Coordinating Assistance for TANF Recipients Act

This bill amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act to direct the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants to states to conduct demonstration projects designed to implement and evaluate strategies to provide coordinated case management to help individuals receiving TANF assistance to increase their employment and self-sufficiency.

coordinating assistance tanf recipients act bill amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf social_security_act direct department_of_health_and_human_services grants states conduct demonstration projects designed implement evaluate strategies provide coordinated case management help individuals receiving tanf assistance increase employment self sufficiency


Summary:
TANF Marriage Penalty Elimination Act

This bill amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act with respect to mandatory work requirements to repeal the separate participation rate for two-parent families receiving TANF assistance.

tanf marriage penalty elimination act bill amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act respect mandatory work requirements repeal separate participation rate parent families receiving tanf assistance


Summary:
Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to states to conduct demonstration projects designed to implement and evaluate strategies that provide wage subsidies to enable low-income individuals to enter into and retain employment.

A state may use a grant to subsidize a recipient's wages for only 12 months and for no more than 50% of the wages received.

An eligible recipient of such a subsidy may be either a TANF recipient or a noncustodial parent of a minor child receiving TANF assistance, but must also be unemployed and have an income less than 200% of the poverty line.

A state must ensure that a subsidy recipient does not displace an individual on layoff or an employee whose employment has been terminated to make a vacancy for the subsidy recipient. A state must also establish a grievance procedure for resolving complaints of alleged violations of this nondisplacement requirement.

HHS shall reserve specified funds for FY2017 to carry out this program, 15% of which must fund programs offering career pathway training services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. (Career pathways programs combine education, training, and other services aligned with the skill needs of industries in the economy of the state or regional economy involved in order to help an individual enter or advance within a specific occupation or occupational cluster.)

accelerating individuals workforce act sec bill amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act direct department_of_health_and_human_services hhs grants states conduct demonstration projects designed implement evaluate strategies provide wage subsidies enable low income individuals enter retain employment state use grant subsidize recipient wages months wages received eligible recipient subsidy tanf recipient noncustodial parent minor child receiving tanf assistance unemployed income poverty line state ensure subsidy recipient displace individual layoff employee employment terminated vacancy subsidy recipient state establish grievance procedure resolving complaints alleged violations requirement hhs shall reserve specified funds fy2017 carry program fund programs offering career pathway training services workforce innovation opportunity act career pathways programs combine education training services aligned skill needs industries economy state regional economy involved order help individual enter advance specific occupation occupational cluster


Summary:
Preparing More Welfare Recipients for Work Act

This bill amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act with respect to mandatory work requirements to:

 eliminate the requirement that recipients participate in certain core work activities not fewer than 20 hours per week, as well as separate requirements for two-parent families; allow states to receive partial credit for certain families participating for less than the minimum hours required for purposes of calculating the monthly participation rate; give states the option to apply an alternative work participation rate calculation; revise requirements for counting job search as work; modify the rule deeming an individual to meet work participation requirements by attending secondary school; require a state to meet individuals participating for three months in job readiness assistance and certify whether continued participation is necessary to prepare them for employment; replace with job readiness assistance as a separate work activity the currently recognized work activity of providing child care services to a participant in a community service program; and increase from 12 to 24 months the maximum period that vocational educational training counts as a work activity.

preparing welfare recipients work act bill amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act respect mandatory work requirements eliminate requirement recipients participate certain core work activities fewer hours week separate requirements parent families allow states receive partial credit certain families participating minimum hours required purposes calculating monthly participation rate states option apply alternative work participation rate calculation revise requirements counting job search work modify rule deeming individual meet work participation requirements attending secondary school require state meet individuals participating months job readiness assistance certify continued participation necessary prepare employment replace job readiness assistance separate work activity currently recognized work activity providing child care services participant community service program increase months maximum period vocational educational training counts work activity


Summary:
Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Act

This bill amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to:

 subject individuals to criminal background checks for drug-related offenses as well as substance abuse screening, and deny TANF assistance for an individual who tests positive for a controlled substance. The Department of Health and Human Services is required to reduce by 15% of the state TANF grant if a state has substantially failed to condition benefits on passing drug testing or screening.

The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 are amended to set forth analogous drug testing and screening requirements under the supplemental nutrition assistance program and public housing and "Section 8" rental assistance programs.

drug testing welfare recipients act bill amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act subject individuals criminal background checks drug related offenses substance abuse screening deny tanf assistance individual tests positive controlled substance department_of_health_and_human_services required reduce state tanf grant state substantially failed condition benefits passing drug testing screening food_and_nutrition_act_of_2008 housing_and_community_development_act amended set forth analogous drug testing screening requirements supplemental nutrition assistance program public housing section rental assistance programs


Summary:
Back to Basics Job Creation Act of 2015

 This bill amends title XX (Block Grants to State for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible entities to assist low-income individuals and individuals who have been unemployed for at least three months in developing self-employment opportunities.

job creation act bill amends title block grants state social_services social_security_act require department_of_health_and_human_services grants eligible entities assist low income individuals individuals unemployed months developing self employment opportunities


Summary:
Moving to Work Reform Act of 2015

This bill prohibits the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from entering into or extending any Moving to Work agreement for any public housing agency (PHA) for participation in the Moving to Work Demonstration Program, unless the agreement is subject to specified terms and conditions set forth by this Act for its entire duration.

(Under the Moving to Work Demonstration Program up to 30 selected PHAs, including Indian housing authorities, may administer the public or Indian housing program and the Section 8 housing assistance payments program in ways designed to reduce costs and achieve greater cost-effectiveness in federal expenditures, provide incentives for heads of households to become economically self-sufficient, and increase housing choices for lower-income families.) Under such an agreement a PHA:

 may not establish any new rent policy that raises rent burdens for a significant portion of participating families, or causes specified other results, unless certain conditions are met; may use funds appropriated for renewal of tenant-based rental assistance only for payments assisting eligible families with housing costs; shall receive funding for renewal of tenant-based rental assistance under the same formula applied to nonparticipating PHAs; must provide ongoing housing assistance to substantially the same number of eligible low-income families as it could assist ordinarily but with average cost burdens no higher than those of families assisted under Sections 8 (low-income housing assistance) and 9 (Public Housing Capital and Operating Funds) of the United States Housing Act of 1937; and develop and implement a plan to expand families' access to neighborhoods with low crime, high-performing schools, or other indicators of high opportunity, if a disproportionately low share of PHA-assisted families lives in such neighborhoods. HUD may not waive specified housing-related requirements.

HUD must conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the Demonstration Program to:

 analyze the risks and potential benefits of expanding it to additional agencies; and identify reforms, and selection criteria in case the Demonstration Program is expanded, that would improve its effectiveness in testing innovative policies while minimizing adverse effects on low-income families and ensuring efficient use of federal funds to meet the most pressing housing needs.

moving work reform_act bill prohibits department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud entering extending moving work agreement public housing agency pha participation moving work demonstration program agreement subject specified terms conditions set forth act entire duration moving work demonstration program selected phas including indian housing authorities administer public indian housing program section housing assistance payments program ways designed reduce costs achieve greater cost effectiveness federal expenditures provide incentives heads households economically self sufficient increase housing choices lower income families agreement pha establish new rent policy raises rent burdens significant portion participating families causes specified results certain conditions met use funds appropriated renewal tenant based rental assistance payments assisting eligible families housing costs shall receive funding renewal tenant based rental assistance formula applied nonparticipating phas provide ongoing housing assistance substantially number eligible low income families assist ordinarily average cost burdens higher families assisted sections low income housing assistance public housing capital operating funds united_states_housing_act develop implement plan expand families access neighborhoods low crime high performing schools indicators high opportunity disproportionately low share pha assisted families lives neighborhoods hud waive specified housing related requirements hud conduct comprehensive evaluation demonstration program analyze risks potential benefits expanding additional agencies identify reforms selection criteria case demonstration program expanded improve effectiveness testing innovative policies minimizing adverse effects low income families ensuring efficient use federal funds meet pressing housing needs


Summary:
Rewriting to Improve and Secure an Exit Out of Poverty Act or RISE Out of Poverty Act

 Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Act) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require state TANF plans to address whether and how states will give priority to providing assistance in areas with the greatest need.

Extends the TANF program.

Establishes matching grants to the states for subsidized employment. Sets a flat minimum participation rate of 50% with respect to all families residing in a state that include a work-eligible individual.

Revises participation requirements.

Gives TANF recipients the option to have trained personnel assess certain barriers to employment.

Revises the contents of individual responsibility plans.

Authorizes a state to develop a modified employability plan for a TANF recipient with, or caring for a family member with, a disability.

Prohibits a state from imposing a lifetime sanction or full-family sanction on assistance to any individual or family on the basis of a family member's failure to comply with a program requirement.

Prohibits sanctioning individuals for failure to engage in work if the failure results from the inability to secure child care or after-school arrangements for a child under age 13.

Prohibits imposing a limit of less than 60 months on duration of TANF assistance. Makes the duration limit inapplicable during a recession.

Requires that states establish personnel standards through a merit-based system in the administration of TANF programs.

Bans state use of federal TANF funds to replace state or local spending for non-qualified state expenditures.

Requires TANF assistance to meet basic family economic needs.

Makes reducing child poverty a purpose of the TANF program.

Requires that states adopt standards and procedures to address domestic and sexual violence suffered by TANF recipients.

Requires a state to guarantee child care services to TANF recipients employed or participating in a work activity.

Eliminates the ban on providing assistance to families not assigning certain support rights to the state.

Gives states the option to extend TANF eligibility to children through age 21.

Prohibits considering financial aid tied to education of a child in determining eligibility for or the amount of TANF.

Eliminates bars to TANF assistance for persons convicted of drug felonies, unwed teen parents not in school, and teens not in an adult-supervised living arrangement.

Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to repeal the declaration that states shall not be prohibited by the federal government from testing welfare recipients for use of controlled substances nor from sanctioning welfare recipients who test positive for use of controlled substances.

improve secure exit poverty act rise poverty act amends temporary_assistance needy families act tanf title social_security_act require state tanf plans address states priority providing assistance areas greatest need extends tanf program establishes matching grants states subsidized employment sets flat minimum participation rate respect families residing state include work eligible individual revises participation requirements gives tanf recipients option trained personnel assess certain barriers employment revises contents individual responsibility plans authorizes state develop modified employability plan tanf recipient caring family member disability prohibits state imposing lifetime sanction family sanction assistance individual family basis family member failure comply program requirement prohibits sanctioning individuals failure engage work failure results inability secure child care school arrangements child age prohibits imposing limit months duration tanf assistance makes duration limit inapplicable recession requires states establish personnel standards merit based system administration tanf programs bans state use federal tanf funds replace state local spending non qualified state expenditures requires tanf assistance meet basic family economic needs makes reducing child poverty purpose tanf program requires states adopt standards procedures address domestic sexual violence suffered tanf recipients requires state guarantee child care services tanf recipients employed participating work activity eliminates ban providing assistance families assigning certain support rights state gives states option extend tanf eligibility children age prohibits considering financial aid tied education child determining eligibility tanf eliminates bars tanf assistance persons convicted drug felonies unwed teen parents school teens adult supervised living arrangement amends personal_responsibility_and_work_opportunity reconciliation act repeal declaration states shall prohibited federal_government testing welfare recipients use controlled substances sanctioning welfare recipients test positive use controlled substances


Summary:
Corporate Fair Share Tax Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the tax deduction of the interest expense of a U.S. corporation that is a member of a financial reporting group (a group that prepares consolidated financial statements according to accepted accounting principles or international financial reporting standards) to: (1) the amount of interest on indebtedness of the corporation includible in the corporation's gross income for the taxable year plus its proportionate share of the group's net interest expense in the taxable year computed under U.S. income tax principles; or (2) not more than 10% of the corporation's adjusted taxable income, if the corporation fails to substantiate its proportionate share of interest expense.

The bill exempts from the limitation a corporation that is predominantly engaged in the active conduct of a banking, financing, or similar business or that has less than $5 million of net interest expense for the taxable year.

corporate fair share tax act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code limit tax deduction interest expense corporation member financial reporting group group prepares consolidated financial statements according accepted accounting principles international financial reporting standards interest indebtedness corporation includible corporation gross income taxable year plus proportionate share group net interest expense taxable year computed income tax principles corporation adjusted taxable income corporation fails substantiate proportionate share interest expense bill exempts limitation corporation predominantly engaged active conduct banking financing similar business million net interest expense taxable year


Summary:
Locality-based Social Security Benefits Act of 2015

This bill directs the Social Security Administration to increase the monthly benefit amount to which each individual is otherwise entitled under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act by the percentage determined by the President for the locality pay area in which the individual resides at the time of the increase.

locality based social_security benefits act bill directs social_security_administration increase monthly benefit individual entitled title old age survivors disability_insurance oasdi social_security_act percentage determined president locality pay area individual resides time increase


Summary: This bill amends the Commodity Exchange Act to exclude from the meaning of "financial entity," and so exempt from swap clearing requirements, the bank holding company or savings and loan holding company of a small bank or savings association (whose total assets are $10 billion or less) if the total consolidated assets of the holding company are no greater than that asset threshold.

bill amends commodity_exchange_act exclude meaning financial entity exempt swap clearing requirements bank holding company savings loan holding company small bank savings association total assets billion total consolidated assets holding company greater asset threshold


Summary:
Food and Nutrition Reform, Responsibility, and Accountability Act of 2016

This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to change the work requirements for the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program).

The bill reduces, from three months to one month, the time period for which able-bodied adults without dependents may receive SNAP benefits over a three-year period without meeting work requirements.

The bill modifies the exemption from work requirements for individuals who are under 18 or over 50 years of age to apply the exemption to those who are:

 under 18, over 50 in a household that includes an individual that is under 18, or over 63. The bill eliminates USDA's authority to waive work requirements for individuals in areas with an unemployment rate above 10% or an insufficient number of jobs.

States may provide exemptions from the work requirements for up to 5% (currently 15%) of the covered individuals who either receive SNAP benefits or were denied benefits due to work requirements.

States must expunge benefits from a SNAP electronic benefit transfer account if: (1) the benefits are not used within 90 days of being posted to the account, or (2) the account has not been accessed for a 3-month period.

State workfare programs for SNAP participants must require at least six hours of work per week.

food nutrition reform responsibility accountability_act bill amends food_and_nutrition_act_of_2008 change work requirements department_of_agriculture usda supplemental nutrition assistance program snap known food stamp program bill reduces months month time period able adults dependents receive snap benefits year period meeting work requirements bill modifies exemption work requirements individuals years age apply exemption household includes individual bill eliminates usda authority waive work requirements individuals areas unemployment rate insufficient number jobs states provide exemptions work requirements currently covered individuals receive snap benefits denied benefits work requirements states benefits snap electronic benefit transfer account benefits days posted account account accessed month period state programs snap participants require hours work week


Summary:
Healthy Food Choices Act of 2016

This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to apply nutritional standards for the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to foods purchased for USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program), with the addition of:

 meat, fish, and poultry; beans, soups, and immature varieties of legumes (such as those used in canned green peas, green beans, snap beans, yellow beans, and wax beans); and baked beans with meat. (Foods purchased for WIC must: (1) contain nutrients determined by nutritional research to be lacking in the diets of pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, or children; or (2) promote the health of the population served by the program.)

healthy food choices act bill amends food_and_nutrition_act_of_2008 apply nutritional standards department_of_agriculture usda special supplemental nutrition program women infants children wic foods purchased usda supplemental nutrition assistance program snap known food stamp program addition meat fish poultry beans green peas green beans snap beans yellow beans beans beans meat foods purchased wic contain nutrients determined nutritional research lacking pregnant breastfeeding postpartum women infants children promote health population served program


Summary:
Enhancing Advancement, Reducing Noncompliance, and Improving Trust Act or the EARN IT Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for individuals with no qualifying children and to establish additional requirements for claiming the EITC and the child tax credit.

The bill modifies the EITC for individuals with no qualifying children by:

 increasing the credit and phaseout percentages, increasing the earned income and phaseout amounts, reducing the minimum age to claim the credit, and modifying the formula for inflation adjustments. For a qualifying child to be taken into account for the EITC, a tax return must include a certification of the child's residency.

The bill prohibits the refundable portion of the child tax credit (commonly referred to as the additional child tax credit) from being claimed for a qualifying child unless the tax return includes a valid social security number for the child.

The bill increases from two to five years the disallowance period for taxpayers who improperly claim the EITC due to reckless or intentional disregard of rules and regulations.

enhancing advancement reducing noncompliance improving trust act earn act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code increase earned income tax credit eitc individuals qualifying children establish additional requirements claiming eitc child tax credit bill modifies eitc individuals qualifying children increasing credit phaseout percentages increasing earned income phaseout amounts reducing minimum age claim credit modifying formula inflation adjustments qualifying child taken account eitc tax return include certification child residency bill prohibits refundable portion child tax credit commonly referred additional child tax credit claimed qualifying child tax return includes valid social_security number child bill increases years disallowance period taxpayers improperly claim eitc reckless intentional disregard rules regulations


Summary:
Food Bank Assistance Act of 2016

This bill amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 and the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to provide additional funding to the Department of Agriculture for carrying out the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).

(TEFAP helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans, including the elderly, by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance. The program provides food and administrative funds to states to supplement the diets of these groups.)

food bank assistance_act bill amends emergency food assistance_act food_and_nutrition_act_of_2008 provide additional funding department_of_agriculture carrying emergency food assistance program helps supplement low income americans including elderly providing emergency food nutrition assistance program provides food administrative funds states supplement groups


Summary:
Improving Child Nutrition and Education Act of 2016

This bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to reauthorize and modify: (1) child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and other institutional food service programs; and (2) the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

The bill extends the authorizations for:

 the Summer Food Service Program, WIC, the WIC Farmer's Market Nutrition Program, and State Administrative Expenses. (Under current law, several programs such as the NSLP and the School Breakfast Program are permanently authorized.)

For the child nutrition programs, the bill makes policy changes that:

 establish a demonstration project to permit up to three states to receive a block grant instead of open-ended funding currently provided by several child nutrition programs; require the Department of Agriculture to review school meal regulations every three years and make any necessary revisions; increase reimbursement rates for the School Breakfast Program; increase the eligibility threshold for participation in the Community Eligibility Provision that permits schools in high poverty areas to serve all meals free of charge; permit states to provide summer meals away from a congregate site (specific sites where children come to eat and are supervised) in rural or low-income areas without access to summer service; and revise application verification requirements for the school meal programs. For WIC, the bill:

 authorizes appropriations at the current FY2016 level for the next five years, permits commercial availability and participant demand to be considered when amending the list of supplemental foods, and modifies the competitive bidding and contract award process for infant formula and infant foods.

improving child nutrition education act bill amends richard national school lunch act child nutrition act reauthorize modify child nutrition programs including national school lunch program institutional food service programs special supplemental nutrition program women infants children wic bill extends authorizations summer food service program wic wic farmer market nutrition program state administrative expenses current law programs school breakfast program permanently authorized child nutrition programs bill makes policy changes establish demonstration project permit states receive block grant instead open ended funding currently provided child nutrition programs require department_of_agriculture review school meal regulations years necessary revisions increase reimbursement rates school breakfast program increase eligibility threshold participation community eligibility provision permits schools high poverty areas serve meals free charge permit states provide summer meals away congregate site specific sites children come eat supervised rural low income areas access summer service revise application verification requirements school meal programs wic bill authorizes appropriations current fy2016 level years permits commercial availability participant demand considered amending list supplemental foods modifies competitive bidding contract award process infant formula infant foods


Summary:
Protecting School Meals from Fines Act

This bill prohibits the implementation of proposed Department of Agriculture regulations to establish criteria for imposing fines on school funding authorities, schools, and state agencies that are administering federal child nutrition programs and have: (1) failed to correct severe mismanagement of any program, (2) failed to correct repeated violations of program requirements, or (3) disregarded a requirement of which they have been informed.

protecting school meals fines act bill prohibits implementation proposed department_of_agriculture regulations establish criteria imposing fines school funding authorities schools state agencies administering federal child nutrition programs failed correct severe mismanagement program failed correct repeated violations program requirements disregarded requirement informed


Summary:
What Works to Move Welfare Recipients into Jobs Act

This bill amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title VI of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for research by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the benefits, effects, and costs of operating different state programs funded under part A and any other state program funded with qualified state expenditures.

(Sec. 2) Such research shall focus on the effect of these programs as well as of healthy marriage promotion and responsible fatherhood grants on employment, self-sufficiency, child well-being, unmarried births, marriage, poverty, economic mobility, and other factors determined by HHS.

A state's contribution to the cost of a state-initiated evaluation of its program, from non-federal sources, shall increase from at least 10% to at least 25% of the cost of the proposed evaluation.

The Bureau of the Census shall implement or enhance household surveys of program participation to allow for assessment of the outcomes of continued welfare reform on the economic and child well-being of low-income families with children, including those who received assistance or services from a state program funded under TANF or any other state program funded with qualified state expenditures.

Research and evaluation designed to determine the effects of a program or policy (other than Census Bureau research) shall use experimental designs using random assignment or other reliable, evidence-based research methodologies that allow for the strongest possible casual inferences when random assignment is not feasible. HHS shall develop a database of the projects that used a proven or a promising approach in moving welfare recipients into work, which shall be called the What Works Clearinghouse of Proven and Promising Projects to Move Welfare Recipients into Work.

works welfare recipients jobs_act bill amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act revise requirements research department_of_health_and_human_services hhs benefits effects costs operating different state programs funded state program funded qualified state expenditures sec research shall focus effect programs healthy marriage promotion responsible fatherhood grants employment self sufficiency child unmarried marriage poverty economic mobility factors determined hhs state contribution cost state initiated evaluation program non federal sources shall increase cost proposed evaluation bureau_of_the_census shall implement enhance household surveys program participation allow assessment outcomes continued welfare reform economic child low income families children including received assistance services state program funded tanf state program funded qualified state expenditures research evaluation designed determine effects program policy census bureau research shall use experimental designs random assignment reliable evidence based research methodologies allow possible casual random assignment feasible hhs shall develop database projects proven promising approach moving welfare recipients work shall called works clearinghouse proven promising projects welfare recipients work


Summary:
Children's Savings Accounts Offer Parents Plenty of Reasons to Understand and Invest in Tuition Yearly Act or the CSA OPPORTUNITY Act

This bill amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to direct a state receiving a TANF grant to disregard the value of any interest in, or distribution from, a qualified tuition program, as well as the value of a child's savings account, in determining individual or family TANF eligibility or the amount or type of assistance.

SSAct title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) is amended to exclude from an individual's resources for SSI eligibility or benefit purposes the value of any interest in, or distribution from, a qualified tuition program as well as the value of a child's savings account.

 The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 is amended to direct the Department of Agriculture to exclude any child's savings accounts from resources for eligibility and benefit purposes under the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly the food stamp program).

 The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 is amended to exclude from household income any child's savings accounts from resources for eligibility and benefit purposes under the low-income home energy assistance program.

 The bill prescribes penalties for noncompliance.

children savings_accounts offer parents reasons understand invest tuition yearly act csa opportunity act bill amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act ssact direct state receiving tanf grant disregard value interest distribution qualified tuition program value child savings account determining individual family tanf eligibility type assistance ssact title xvi supplemental security income ssi amended exclude individual resources ssi eligibility benefit purposes value interest distribution qualified tuition program value child savings account food_and_nutrition_act_of_2008 amended direct department_of_agriculture exclude child savings_accounts resources eligibility benefit purposes supplemental nutrition assistance program snap food stamp program low income home energy assistance_act amended exclude household income child savings_accounts resources eligibility benefit purposes low income home energy assistance program bill prescribes penalties noncompliance


Summary:
Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2016

This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to revise the requirements for calculating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) benefits.

The bill increases the minimum SNAP benefit and requires benefits to be calculated using a low-cost food plan. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must determine the requirements for the low-cost food plan, which is the diet required to feed a family of four, consisting of:

 a man and a woman 19-50 years of age, a child 6-8 years of age, and a child 9-11 years of age. USDA must make adjustments to the plan to account for household size, changes in the cost of the diet, and the costs of food in specified areas.

The bill revises the amounts authorized for nutrition assistance block grants for Puerto Rico and American Samoa and requires the amounts to be modified based on adjustments to the low-cost food plan.

The bill modifies the requirements for calculating household income to determine SNAP eligibility by: (1) authorizing a standard medical expense deduction for households containing an elderly or disabled member, and (2) eliminating the cap on the deduction for excess shelter expenses.

The bill exempts from SNAP work requirements able-bodied adults without dependents who are not offered a position in a SNAP Employment and Training Program.

closing meal gap act bill amends food_and_nutrition_act_of_2008 revise requirements calculating supplemental nutrition assistance program snap known food stamp program benefits bill increases minimum snap benefit requires benefits calculated low cost food plan department_of_agriculture usda determine requirements low cost food plan diet required feed family consisting man woman years age child years age child years age usda adjustments plan account household size changes cost diet costs food specified areas bill revises amounts authorized nutrition assistance block grants puerto_rico american_samoa requires amounts modified based adjustments low cost food plan bill modifies requirements calculating household income determine snap eligibility authorizing standard medical expense deduction households containing elderly disabled member eliminating cap deduction excess shelter expenses bill exempts snap work requirements able adults dependents offered position snap employment training program


Summary:
Improving Supports for Kinship Caregivers Act of 2016

This bill amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to require a state receiving a family assistance grant to ensure that the state agency administering the TANF program: employs a primary kinship resource employee trained to give legal custody and guardianship guidance to a relative caregiver of a TANF-receiving minor child; and notifies the relative caregiver of options to participate in the child's care and placement. The Department of Health and Human Services shall prescribe regulations to improve the reporting of data on the economic well-being and circumstances of families with relative caregivers of minor children.

A state may not reduce or terminate TANF assistance based on the refusal of an individual age 60 or over (senior) to engage in required work.

The five-year limitation on TANF assistance shall not apply to seniors, nor may a state receiving a TANF grant impose any asset test in determining the eligibility of a senior for assistance.

The amount of cash assistance given a family under a state TANF program for a child must equal the amount of cash assistance given for any other child in the family.

SSAct title IV part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) is amended to require the state plan for foster care and adoption assistance to require the administering state agency to employ a primary kinship resource employee to do what such an employee must do under the state TANF plan.

SSAct title IV part B (Child and Family Services) is amended to reauthorize family connection grants through FY2018.

A state with a foster care and adoption assistance plan shall:

 study its foster family home licensing standards in comparison with the National Association for Regulatory Administration Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards; and review and update them every three years, as well as amounts of foster care maintenance payments and adoption assistance. SSAct title IV part B is amended to require the state plans for child welfare services to make certain assurances regarding relative caregiver families applying for foster care assistance.

The bill reauthorizes family support services at increased levels through FY2020.

SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) is amended to require a state plan for child and spousal support to describe the process for determining whether an assistance recipient is cooperating in good faith with the state in establishing paternity or in establishing, modifying, or enforcing a support order.

SSA title IV part E is amended regarding state plans for foster care and adoption assistance to apply the requirement that all steps be taken to secure an assignment to the state of any support rights on behalf of all children in foster care, not just those receiving foster care maintenance payments.

improving supports kinship caregivers act bill amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act ssact require state receiving family assistance grant ensure state agency administering tanf program employs primary kinship resource employee trained legal custody guardianship guidance relative caregiver tanf receiving minor child notifies relative caregiver options participate child care placement department_of_health_and_human_services shall prescribe regulations improve reporting data economic circumstances families relative caregivers minor children state reduce terminate tanf assistance based refusal individual age senior engage required work year limitation tanf assistance shall apply seniors state receiving tanf grant impose asset test determining eligibility senior assistance cash assistance given family state tanf program child equal cash assistance given child family ssact title foster care adoption assistance amended require state plan foster care adoption assistance require administering state agency employ primary kinship resource employee employee state tanf plan ssact title child family services amended reauthorize family connection grants fy2018 state foster care adoption assistance plan shall study foster family home licensing standards comparison national association regulatory administration model family foster home licensing standards review update years amounts foster care maintenance payments adoption assistance ssact title amended require state plans child welfare services certain assurances relative caregiver families applying foster care assistance bill reauthorizes family support services increased levels fy2020 ssa title child support establishment paternity amended require state plan child spousal support describe process determining assistance recipient cooperating good faith state establishing paternity establishing modifying enforcing support order ssa title amended state plans foster care adoption assistance apply requirement steps taken secure assignment state support rights behalf children foster care receiving foster care maintenance payments


Summary:
Welfare Reform and Upward Mobility Act

This bill requires the President to include in the annual budget proposal the total level of means-tested welfare spending by the federal, state, and local governments for the most recent fiscal year for which such data is available, and estimated levels for the current and 10 ensuing fiscal years.

For each of FY2018-FY2028 each state that receives means-tested welfare spending by the federal government shall report annually to the Congressional Budget Office on the total amount of such spending by the state for the fiscal year.

The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended to define means-tested welfare spending as spending for any federal program designed specifically to give assistance or benefits exclusively to low-income Americans, including certain targeted community and economic development programs, unless they:

 are based on earned eligibility, are not need-based, are designed exclusively or primarily for veterans of military service, or offer universal or near universal eligibility to the working population and their dependents. The bill specifies federal cash assistance, medical, food, housing, energy, education training, child care, services, and community development programs deemed means-tested welfare spending, as well as federal programs that are not so deemed, including Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare, unemployment insurance, Social Security retirement and survivor benefits, and military service veterans programs.

The refundable portion of certain tax credits shall also be means-tested welfare spending, as well as the refundable portion of the premium and out-of-pocket health care subsidies to be paid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act.

The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 is amended to specify, as an additional purpose for the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP), promoting prosperous self-sufficiency, which means the ability of households to maintain an income above the poverty-level without services and benefits from the federal government.

The bill revises work eligibility requirements under SNAP

As a condition of receiving SNAP funds, a state agency shall operate a work activation program for adults with dependent children.

Part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act is amended to create the work preparation program for TANF families.

The bill eliminates separate participation rate requirements for two-parent families.

A family with a child under age 6 shall be deemed to meet work participation requirements if any parent is engaged in work for at least 20 hours per week.

No federal funds shall be made available to carry out any means-tested housing program, but states may receive grants to fund their own housing programs.

The bill prohibits funding for abortions and for health benefits that cover abortion, including certain tax credits, except where the pregnancy results from rape or incest or in certain other health cases.

welfare reform upward mobility act bill requires president include annual budget proposal total level means tested welfare spending federal state local governments recent fiscal year data available estimated levels current ensuing fiscal years fy2018 state receives means tested welfare spending federal_government shall report annually congressional_budget_office total spending state fiscal year congressional_budget_act amended define means tested welfare spending spending federal program designed specifically assistance benefits exclusively low income americans including certain targeted community economic development programs based earned eligibility need based designed exclusively primarily veterans military service offer universal near universal eligibility working population dependents bill specifies federal cash assistance medical food housing energy education training child care services community development programs deemed means tested welfare spending federal programs deemed including social_security_disability_insurance medicare unemployment insurance social_security retirement survivor benefits military service veterans programs refundable portion certain tax credits shall means tested welfare spending refundable portion premium pocket health_care subsidies paid patient_protection affordable health_care act food_and_nutrition_act_of_2008 amended specify additional purpose supplemental nutrition assistance program snap promoting self sufficiency means ability households maintain income poverty level services benefits federal_government bill revises work eligibility requirements snap condition receiving snap funds state agency shall operate work activation program adults dependent children temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act amended create work preparation program tanf families bill eliminates separate participation rate requirements parent families family child age shall deemed meet work participation requirements parent engaged work hours week federal funds shall available carry means tested housing program states receive grants fund housing programs bill prohibits funding abortions health benefits cover abortion including certain tax credits pregnancy results rape incest certain health cases


Summary:
All Kids Matter Act

This bill amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to revise state plan requirements to require:

 the state to identify and provide appropriate prevention, intervention, and support services before placing a child in foster care as part of its reasonable efforts to preserve and reunify families; that all at-risk children, children in foster care, and children who have left foster care to return home through reunification or reinstatement of parental rights, or for kinship guardianship or adoption, be provided with a standard array of child welfare services; the state to submit, update, and revise as necessary a description of its activities and delivery mechanisms for achieving increased permanency for all infants, children, and youth. Payments to states shall incorporate: (1) an amount equal to the federal medical assistance percentage for the state under SSAct title XIX (Medicaid), and (2) a performance achievement payment.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall establish criteria for assessing state performance in order to award performance achievement payments to the states.

States may elect an alternative allotment for specified administrative costs.

Aid to Families with Dependent Children eligibility under SSAct title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) is removed from eligibility requirements under the Foster Care Maintenance Program.

States may provide services to an individual age 18-21 who is pursing legal permanency through family reunification, permanent placement with a planned permanent living arrangement, or such other pathways to permanency as the state, in consultation with HHS, may specify.

Eligibility for John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program services and education and training vouchers shall extend to youth who return home after attaining age 16.

HHS, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Education shall jointly develop and disseminate to states permanency-supportive housing options.

kids matter act bill amends foster care adoption assistance title social_security_act ssact revise state plan requirements require state identify provide appropriate prevention intervention support services placing child foster care reasonable efforts preserve families risk children children foster care children left foster care return home reunification reinstatement parental rights kinship guardianship adoption provided standard array child welfare services state submit update revise necessary description activities delivery mechanisms achieving increased permanency infants children youth payments states shall incorporate equal federal medical assistance percentage state ssact title xix medicaid performance achievement payment department_of_health_and_human_services hhs shall establish criteria assessing state performance order award performance achievement payments states states elect alternative allotment specified administrative costs aid families dependent children eligibility ssact title temporary_assistance needy families tanf removed eligibility requirements foster care maintenance program states provide services individual age legal permanency family reunification permanent placement planned permanent living arrangement pathways permanency state consultation hhs specify eligibility john chafee foster care independence program services education training vouchers shall extend youth return home attaining age hhs department_of_housing_and_urban_development department_of_education shall jointly develop disseminate states permanency supportive housing options


Summary:
Bring Small Businesses Back Tax Reform Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish new maximum individual tax rates for qualified business income that does not exceed $1 million (i.e., small business income). The maximum rates are: (1) 10% of such income not exceeding $150,000, and (2) 20% for income that exceeds $150,000 and is not more than $1 million.

The rates apply to up to $1 million of qualified business income that is: (1) gross earnings derived by an individual from any active trade or business carried on by the individual, excluding deductions attributable to the trade or business; and (2) the taxpayer's distributive or pro rata share of pass-through income from entities such as a partnership or S corporation. Qualified business income does not include capital gains, interest, dividends, or royalties.

For taxpayers that are not a corporation or a partnership with a corporation as a partner, the bill repeals the annual limitation on the election to deduct certain depreciable business assets.

The bill also permits certain small businesses whose average gross receipts do not exceed $25 million (currently, $5 million) to use the cash accounting method without limitations and exempts such businesses from inventory rules.

bring small businesses tax reform_act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code establish new maximum individual tax rates qualified business income exceed million small business income maximum rates income exceeding income exceeds million rates apply million qualified business income gross earnings derived individual active trade business carried individual excluding deductions attributable trade business taxpayer pro rata share pass income entities partnership corporation qualified business income include capital gains interest dividends royalties taxpayers corporation partnership corporation partner bill repeals annual limitation election deduct certain depreciable business assets bill permits certain small businesses average gross receipts exceed million currently million use cash accounting method limitations exempts businesses inventory rules


Summary:
SNAP Healthy Incentives Act of 2016

This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to provide a financial incentive for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) participants to purchase fruits and vegetables.

snap healthy incentives act bill amends food_and_nutrition_act_of_2008 provide financial incentive supplemental nutrition assistance program snap known food stamp program participants purchase fruits vegetables


Summary:
Food Stamp Integrity Act of 2016

This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to revise the rules for disqualifying individuals from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program).

The bill permanently disqualifies individuals who have been found guilty of offenses or misconduct, including:

 fraud or misrepresentation with respect to SNAP; the trading of a controlled substance, firearms, ammunition, or explosives for benefits; terrorism; defrauding the federal government, a state, or a unit of local government; obtaining cash by destroying food purchased with benefits and collecting deposits for containers; or selling food purchased with benefits. An individual who is delinquent in paying child support may not receive benefits unless a court allowed a payment delay or the individual is complying with a payment plan.

If a household requests a third replacement Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card in a one-year period, a state may: (1) require the head of the household to appear in person for an interview before issuing an additional card, and (2) terminate participation of the household for one year if a fifth card is requested in a one-year period.

The bill modifies the work requirements and eliminates certain exemptions and waivers from the requirements. If an able-bodied adult without dependents fails to meet the work requirements for three months in a 48-month period (36 months under current law), they are ineligible for SNAP for the remainder of the 48-month period, or until they comply.

food stamp integrity act bill amends food_and_nutrition_act_of_2008 revise rules disqualifying individuals supplemental nutrition assistance program snap known food stamp program bill permanently disqualifies individuals found guilty offenses misconduct including fraud misrepresentation respect snap trading controlled substance firearms ammunition explosives benefits terrorism federal_government state unit local government obtaining cash destroying food purchased benefits collecting deposits containers selling food purchased benefits individual delinquent paying child support receive benefits court allowed payment delay individual complying payment plan household requests replacement electronic benefit transfer ebt card year period state require head household appear person interview issuing additional card terminate participation household year fifth card requested year period bill modifies work requirements eliminates certain exemptions waivers requirements able adult dependents fails meet work requirements months month period months current law ineligible snap remainder month period comply


Summary:
Choices in Education Act of 2016

This bill repeals the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and limits the authority of the Department of Education (ED) such that ED is authorized only to award block grants to qualified states.

The bill establishes an education voucher program, through which each state shall distribute block grant funds among local educational agencies (LEAs) based on the number of eligible children within each LEA's geographical area. From these amounts, each LEA shall: (1) distribute a portion of funds to parents who elect to enroll their child in a private school or to home-school their child, and (2) do so in a manner that ensures that such payments will be used for appropriate educational expenses.

To be eligible to receive a block grant, a state must: (1) comply with education voucher program requirements, and (2) make it lawful for parents of an eligible child to elect to enroll their child in any public or private elementary or secondary school in the state or to home-school their child.

No Hungry Kids Act

The bill repeals a specified rule that established certain nutrition standards for the national school lunch and breakfast programs. (In general, the rule requires schools to increase the availability of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or fat free milk in school meals; reduce the levels of sodium, saturated fat, and trans fat in school meals; and meet children's nutritional needs within their caloric requirements.)

choices education act bill repeals elementary secondary education act limits authority department_of_education authorized award block grants qualified states bill establishes education voucher program state shall distribute block grant funds local educational agencies leas based number eligible children lea geographical area amounts lea shall distribute portion funds parents elect enroll child private school home school child manner ensures payments appropriate educational expenses eligible receive block grant state comply education voucher program requirements lawful parents eligible child elect enroll child public private elementary secondary school state home school child kids act bill repeals specified rule established certain nutrition standards national school lunch breakfast programs general rule requires schools increase availability fruits vegetables grains low fat fat free milk school meals reduce levels sodium saturated fat trans fat school meals meet children nutritional needs caloric requirements


Summary:
Federal Benefits Fairness and Restoration Act of 2016

This bill amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to repeal the denial of assistance and benefits for certain drug-related convictions.

federal benefits fairness restoration act bill amends personal_responsibility_and_work_opportunity reconciliation act repeal denial assistance benefits certain drug related convictions


Summary: This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to eliminate the Secretary of Agriculture's authority to waive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) work requirements for individuals who reside in areas with an unemployment rate above 10% or an insufficient number of jobs.

bill amends food_and_nutrition_act_of_2008 eliminate secretary agriculture authority waive supplemental nutrition assistance program snap known food stamp program work requirements individuals reside areas unemployment rate insufficient number jobs


Summary:
American Food for American Schools Act of 2016

This bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require school food authorities (SFAs) to request a waiver from the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to purchase foreign commodities or products for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).

(Under current law, Buy American provisions require SFAs to purchase, to the maximum extent practicable, domestic commodities or products for the NSLP. There are limited exceptions which permit the purchase of non-domestic products in circumstances when using domestic products is truly not practicable. If an SFA uses an exception, there is no requirement to request a waiver to purchase a foreign product or commodity, but the SFA must keep documentation justifying the exception.)

USDA may not grant a waiver for an SFA to purchase foreign commodities or products unless: (1) the commodities or products are not produced or manufactured domestically in sufficient amounts or of satisfactory quality, (2) the domestic commodities or products would be significantly higher in price than foreign commodities or products, and (3) the SFA agrees to make the waiver publicly available on its website and meet other specified notification requirements.

american food american schools act bill amends richard national school lunch act require school food authorities request waiver department_of_agriculture usda purchase foreign commodities products national school lunch program current law buy american provisions require purchase maximum extent practicable domestic commodities products limited exceptions permit purchase non domestic products circumstances domestic products truly practicable uses exception requirement request waiver purchase foreign product commodity documentation justifying exception usda grant waiver purchase foreign commodities products commodities products produced manufactured domestically sufficient amounts satisfactory quality domestic commodities products significantly higher price foreign commodities products agrees waiver publicly available website meet specified notification requirements


Summary:
Farmers Markets for Food Deserts Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income amounts received by the taxpayer from the sale of locally and regionally produced agricultural products to members of the general public at a fixed location (other than a retail store) in an underserved community. (Underserved communities are located in areas of concentrated poverty with limited access to fresh locally or regionally grown foods.)

The bill also amends the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 to specify that grants or other assistance provided under the Farmers' Market and Local Food Promotion Program may be used to pay any fees associated with obtaining a permit to sell locally and regionally produced agricultural products at a farmers' market located in an underserved community.

farmers markets food act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code exclude gross income amounts received taxpayer sale locally regionally produced agricultural products members general public fixed location retail store underserved community underserved communities located areas concentrated poverty limited access fresh locally regionally grown foods bill amends farmer consumer direct marketing act specify grants assistance provided farmers market local food promotion program pay fees associated obtaining permit sell locally regionally produced agricultural products farmers market located underserved community


Summary:
Drug Free Families Act of 2015

 Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require state TANF programs to implement a program to test TANF applicants and recipients for illegal drug use.

Requires state TANF programs to deny assistance to individuals who test positive for illegal drugs and individuals convicted of drug-related crimes.

drug free families act amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act require state tanf programs implement program test tanf applicants recipients illegal drug use requires state tanf programs deny assistance individuals test positive illegal drugs individuals convicted drug related crimes