2016 Utah Code
Title 35A - Utah Workforce Services Code
Chapter 3 - Employment Support Act
Part 1 - Basic Services and Support
Section 118 - Self-reliance training.

Effective 5/10/2016
35A-3-118. Self-reliance training.

• (1) If the department determines that it is not prohibited under federal law or regulation, a client who is at least 21 years old, but who is younger than 65 years old, and who is receiving public assistance under this chapter, shall complete at least two hours of approved self-reliance training within 90 days of the first day of receiving public assistance.

• (2) If the department determines that federal law or regulation regarding a specific service or benefit under this chapter prohibits requiring a client to complete at least two hours of self-reliance training within 90 days of first receiving public assistance, the department shall:
  • (a) seek a waiver from the appropriate federal agency to allow requiring the training; and
  • (b) inform the client about the option of completing self-reliance training.

• (3) The department shall ensure that approved self-reliance training:
  • (a) is designed to help clients learn to become financially stable and less dependent on government assistance;
  • (b) teaches skills and knowledge that will assist clients in becoming self-reliant;
  • (c) is available at sufficient times and places to enable clients to reasonably complete the training;
  • (d) is offered at no cost to clients;
  • (e) includes an option for online training; and
  • (f) is provided and taught in a manner that is sensitive to the specific needs and challenges of clients, including:
    • (i) employment situations and work schedules;
    • (ii) health or disability related employment issues;
    • (iii) family care responsibilities and schedules; and
    • (iv) transportation issues.

• (4) Approved self-reliance training may be offered by the department or any of the following if approved by the department:
  • (a) a civic organization as defined in Section 35A-3-102;
  • (b) a for-profit entity;
  • (c) an educational institution; or
  • (d) any state or local entity.

• (5) The director may contract with a civic organization to provide approved self-reliance training, if the director follows the procedures for contracting with a civic organization for the provision of social capital as described in Section 35A-3-507.

• (6) As part of the annual written report described in Section 35A-1-109, the department shall:
  • (a) describe what entities are providing approved self-reliance training;
  • (b) provide the number of clients who have completed at least two hours of approved self-reliance training;
  • (c) describe any services or benefits under this chapter that may not be conditioned on the completion of self-reliance training because of federal law or regulation; and
  • (d) describe the response to any waiver request described in Subsection (2)(a).

• (7) A client's completion of the approved self-reliance training described in Subsection (1) is not a condition of the client continuing to receive public assistance.

Enacted by Chapter 297, 2016 General Session