2015 House Bill 4041 / Public Act 56

Ban welfare for persistent truancy

Introduced in the House

Jan. 21, 2015

Introduced by Rep. Al Pscholka (R-79)

To withhold welfare benefits from a household with children who are persistently truant from school. A truant child age 16 and above could be removed from the household.

Referred to the Committee on Families, Children and Seniors

March 18, 2015

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

March 25, 2015

Amendment offered by Rep. Frank Liberati (D-13)

To require a child of any age who is persistently truant to be removed from a household on welfare.

The amendment failed 47 to 63 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. Alberta Talabi (D-2)

To require the state welfare agency to "attempt to resolve" a truancy issue with a household on welfare, make exceptions if there is good cause for persistent truancy, and provide an appeal process.

The amendment failed by voice vote

March 26, 2015

Passed in the House 74 to 36 (details)

Received in the Senate

April 14, 2015

Referred to the Committee on Families, Seniors, and Human Services

May 14, 2015

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

May 26, 2015

Amendment offered by Sen. Bert Johnson (D-2)

To strip out the provisions cutting off welfare to a household with a chronically truant child or children.

The amendment failed 13 to 25 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Coleman Young (D-1)

To suspend the bill's application during the last 21 days of a school year.

The amendment failed 11 to 27 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Coleman Young (D-1)

To repeal a 48 month cap on cash welfare payments. This cap does not apply to other forms of welfare, including food stamps, housing subsidies, heating subsidies, health care subsidies (Medicaid), etc.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 26 to 12 (details)

To withhold welfare benefits from a household with children who are persistently truant from school. A truant child age 16 and above could be removed from the household.

Received in the House

May 26, 2015

June 2, 2015

Passed in the House 74 to 34 (details)

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

June 10, 2015