§324. Workforce training and education program; creation; functions

            A. A workforce training and education program is hereby created within SNAP for the purpose of improving employment opportunities for nonworking SNAP customers and enhancing workforce readiness. The department shall administer the program in accordance with the provisions of this Subpart.

            B. The department shall establish the program in a parish with a population of more than one hundred thousand and less than one hundred fifty thousand according to the latest federal decennial census and in which is located the main campus of a public four-year college or university.

            C. Customers to be served by the program shall include, exclusively, all ABAWDs residing in the parish who are not exempted by any federal or state policy, other than through a waiver of such a policy, from the limitation on SNAP benefits established pursuant to 7 CFR 273.24.

            D.(1) As a necessary precondition for implementing the program, the department shall ensure that the limitation on duration of the receipt of SNAP benefits by nonexempt ABAWDs provided in 7 CFR 273.24 is effective in the parish in which the program is established.

            (2) If nonexempt ABAWDs in the parish in which the program is established are not subject to any limitation on duration of eligibility for receipt of SNAP benefits as a result of a waiver granted to the state by FNS, then the department shall cause the waiver to be rescinded, cancelled, or otherwise rendered null and without effect for that parish.

            (3) Nothing in this Subsection shall be construed to require or prohibit the continuation or cancellation of any waiver granted to the state by FNS in any parish other than the parish in which the program is established.

            E. As its essential function, the program shall provide to each customer, at the time of benefits eligibility redetermination, a six-month extension of SNAP benefits conditioned upon submission of sufficient documentation, as determined by the department, of any of the following:

            (1) The customer meets any of the following criteria relative to educational advancement:

            (a) In the previous six months, the customer satisfied requirements established by the department in rule relative to enrollment in an accredited postsecondary education institution that grants associate or baccalaureate degrees.

            (b) In the previous six months, the customer satisfied requirements established by the department in rule relative to enrollment in an educational program designed to lead to a high school diploma.

            (c) In the previous six months, the customer satisfied requirements established by the department in rules relative to enrollment in a general education development test preparation course.

            (d) The customer earned a high school diploma or a general education development certificate.

            (2) The customer meets criteria relative to workforce readiness as required by the department in rule. Such criteria may include but shall not be limited to the following:

            (a) Participating for a specified minimum number of hours in an approved job-training program.

            (b) Applying for a specified minimum number of jobs.

            Acts 2014, No. 622, §1; Acts 2025, No. 478, §12, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.