SJR 43 - If approved by the voters, this constitutional amendment requires, subject to approval of a waiver, able-bodied adult MO HealthNet participants, ages 19 to 49, to participate in work and community engagement requirements. Participants shall complete at least 80 hours a month of any combination of specified work, education, job search, child care, and volunteer services. The Department of Social Services shall provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities who are not otherwise exempt from the work and community engagement requirements under this amendment to ensure that the participants are able to comply with the requirements, including exemptions, modifications of hours, and the provision of necessary support services. MO HealthNet participants who shall not be required to comply with the work and community engagement requirements include: (1) those under 18 years of age or 50 years of age or older; (2) those who are medically frail, as defined in the amendment, including those with certain disabilities; (3) those who are pregnant or caring for a child under one year of age; (4) those who are primary caregivers of a dependent child under the age of six or a dependent adult; and (5) those who are also participants of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and are exempt from work requirements under those programs. The Department may permit further exemptions in areas of high unemployment, limited economies or educational opportunities, or lack of public transportation, or for good cause, as defined in this amendment.
This amendment is substantially similar to SJR 76 (2024) and provisions of SJR 4 (2023) and HCS/HJR 117 (2022) and similar to SJR 60 (2020) and SJR 32 (2020).
SARAH HASKINS