AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE; ALLOWING THE DIRECTOR OF THE INCOME SUPPORT DIVISION OF THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO APPROVE A SECOND ADDITIONAL SEMESTER FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE EDUCATION WORKS PROGRAM.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. Section 27-2D-4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 317, Section 4) is amended to read:

     "27-2D-4. EDUCATION WORKS PROGRAM--ELIGIBILITY-- RESTRICTIONS--REQUIREMENTS.--

          A. A person is eligible to receive education works services or cash assistance if the person demonstrates that:

                (1) at the time of the application, the person does not have a bachelor's degree;

                (2) the person has been accepted or has been determined to be eligible to enroll in a two- or four-year post-secondary degree program; and

                (3) the degree the person will receive will increase his ability to engage in full-time paid employment.

          B. A recipient shall not receive cash assistance funded by the temporary assistance for needy families block grant during the period in which the recipient is receiving cash assistance pursuant to the Education Works Act.

          C. A recipient shall apply for all financial aid available from the post-secondary educational institution that the recipient attends.

          D. During the twenty-four months of participation in the education works program, a recipient shall engage in at least twenty hours per week of class time, studying, work, work study or volunteering. The department shall assume that a recipient spends one and one-half hours studying for every hour of class time.

          E. A recipient may participate in the education works program for no more than twenty-four months, except that a recipient may participate in the education works program for one additional academic term following the twenty-four month participation limit, or for two additional academic terms following the twenty-four month participation limit at the discretion of the director, if doing so will result in the recipient earning a degree.

          F. The number of recipients enrolled in the education works program is limited to the number of recipients who can be served by the funds available.

          G. A recipient may earn only one degree through the education works program.

          H. For purposes of this section, "work" means work study, training-related practicums, internships, paid employment, volunteering or any other activity approved by the department." HB 1007

Page 3