A. As used in this section:

1. "Legal immigrant" means an individual not born in the United States and not a citizen of the United States whose entrance into the United States has been approved by the Immigration and Naturalization Service; and

2. "Qualified alien" shall have the same meaning as such term is defined by Section 431(b) of the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, P.L. 104-193, as amended.

B. 1. The Legislature hereby finds and declares that passage of the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, P.L. 104-193, requires the states to make certain decisions concerning legal immigrants and their eligibility for certain types of public assistance.

2. The goal of this section is to recognize that foreign-born legal residents of the State of Oklahoma contribute to our society by working in our communities, supporting local businesses, and paying taxes and should be eligible to receive certain types of public assistance under certain conditions. Moreover, the state goal is to provide the types of assistance that will enhance the state's ability to receive federal financial participation, thereby reducing the ultimate burden on the state and local government for emergency health and welfare needs.

3. This section is also intended to encourage and support efforts to help foreign-born legal residents of the State of Oklahoma to become citizens of the United States.

C. 1. A qualified alien who entered the United States before August 22, 1996, shall be eligible to receive benefits under a state program funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant Funds pursuant to Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act.

2. A qualified alien who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996, shall be barred from receiving the benefits described in paragraph 1 of this subsection for a period of five (5) years after the date of entry into the United States, unless such alien meets the exceptions set forth in the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, P.L. 104-193, as amended. After five (5) years, the qualified alien shall be eligible for benefits pursuant to the Statewide Temporary Assistance Responsibility System (STARS), but shall have sponsor income deemed to the individual or family pursuant to rules promulgated by the Commission for Human Services.

D. 1. A qualified alien who entered the United States before August 22, 1996, shall be eligible to receive benefits under the Old Age Pension, the Aid to the Needy Disabled, and the Aid to the Blind programs if such qualified alien meets the eligibility criteria for such programs, other than citizen status.

2. A qualified alien who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996, shall be barred from receiving benefits under the programs described in paragraph 1 of this subsection for a period of five (5) years after the date of entry into the United States, unless the alien meets the exceptions set forth in the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, P.L. 104-193, as amended. After five (5) years, the qualified alien shall be eligible for benefits pursuant to such programs but shall have sponsor income deemed to the person or family pursuant to rules promulgated by the Commission for Human Services.

E. The Commission for Human Services shall encourage a qualified alien who is eligible to submit an application for citizenship to submit such an application.

F. 1. The Commission shall promulgate rules for the delivery of emergency assistance to a person who:

a.is a legal immigrant and a resident of the State of Oklahoma,

b.is not a citizen of the United States, and

c.meets the eligibility requirements for assistance pursuant to the Statewide Temporary Assistance Responsibility System (STARS) program other than citizen status and is not receiving any other public assistance as specified by the Commission.

2. Such emergency assistance may include, but need not be limited to, the following forms of assistance:

a.housing,

b.food,

c.short-term cash assistance, and

d.clothing and social services for children.

G. 1. Sponsors shall be expected to meet their financial commitments to the immigrants whom they sponsor and for whom they sign affidavits of support.

2. The Commission shall also promulgate rules consistent with this section and federal law to enforce sponsor commitments for noncitizen applicants for or recipients of public assistance or medical assistance.

H. In the event that after passage of this act federal law authorizes extended benefits to aliens, the provision of this section shall be modified and made consistent with the provisions of federal law.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 414, § 26, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.