Reduce Duplication and Improve Access to Work Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2579
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Social Welfare
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-01: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-04T04:26:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Reduce Duplication and Improve Access to Work Act" (H.R. 2579) aims to give states more flexibility in using federal funds from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. It allows states to transfer a portion of these funds to support workforce development activities under Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), helping to reduce overlap between welfare and job training programs while promoting employment for low-income individuals.
Key Provisions
- Fund Transfers: States can transfer up to 30% of their TANF block grant funds (an existing limit) to Title I of WIOA, which funds adult, youth, and dislocated worker training programs.
- Reservation Limit: Of the transferred funds, no more than 15% can be reserved for statewide workforce investment activities (e.g., planning and administration under WIOA Section 128(a)(1)).
- Planning Requirements: If a state plans to transfer funds, it must submit a combined state plan to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This plan integrates TANF with WIOA programs and follows WIOA's coordination rules (Sections 102(c)(3) and 103(a)(2)(B)).
- Effective Date: Changes take effect on October 1, 2026.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 404(d) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 604(d)), which currently allows TANF fund transfers only to certain subtitles of Title XX (social services block grants).
- Expands transfer options to include Title I of WIOA, previously not permitted under this provision.
- Updates references from "subtitle 1" to "subtitle A" for consistency with WIOA terminology.
- Adds specific rules for WIOA transfers, including the 15% reservation cap and combined planning mandate, which were not previously addressed for TANF funds.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases coordination between HHS (which oversees TANF) and DOL (which administers WIOA), potentially streamlining federal oversight but requiring more joint plan reviews.
- On Citizens: Low-income families receiving TANF may gain better access to job training and employment services, improving pathways out of poverty and reducing reliance on cash assistance.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as this is a domestic welfare and workforce policy.
- Overall, the law could enhance program efficiency by aligning welfare support with job skills development, though it depends on state implementation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- States: Gain flexibility to customize fund use for local workforce needs but must comply with additional planning requirements.
- Low-Income Individuals and Families: Primary beneficiaries through expanded access to training programs that support work and self-sufficiency.
- Workforce Agencies and Providers: WIOA-funded organizations (e.g., job centers, training providers) may receive more resources from TANF transfers.
- Federal Agencies: HHS and DOL, which will handle combined plans and ensure compliance.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Provides states with greater administrative discretion under federal block grants, consistent with TANF's flexible design since 1996. No new enforcement mechanisms are added, relying on existing TANF accountability rules.
- Constitutional: Aligns with federalism principles by deferring implementation to states without infringing on individual rights; no challenges to equal protection or due process are evident.
- Political: Supports bipartisan goals of welfare reform and workforce enhancement by reducing program silos, potentially appealing to those favoring work requirements in social safety nets. It may spark debate on fund diversion from direct cash aid, but the bill maintains existing transfer limits to prevent overuse.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-01: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2025-04-01: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-01: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Reduce Duplication and Improve Access to Work Act — issued 2025-04-01 — PDF (4 pages)