AFI Legislation: Assets for Independence Act 42 USC 604

Publication Date: May 30, 2012
Current as of:

AFI Legislation

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRAINING AND

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ACT OF 1998

Public Law 105-285

105th Congress

TITLE IV-- ASSETS FOR INDEPENDENCE
Assets for Independence Act. 42 USC 604 note
 

As amended by Pub. L. 106-554 on Dec. 21, 2000, Pub. L. 107-110 on Jan. 8, 2002, and Pub. L. 114-95 on Dec. 10, 2015

SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE
SEC. 402. FINDINGS
SEC. 403. PURPOSES
SEC. 404. DEFINITIONS
SEC. 405. APPLICATIONS
SEC. 406. DEMONSTRATION AUTHORITY; ANNUAL GRANTS
SEC. 407. RESERVE FUND
SEC. 408. ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION
SEC. 409. SELECTION OF INDIVIDUALS TO PARTICIPATE
SEC. 410. DEPOSITS BY QUALIFIED ENTITIES
SEC. 411. LOCAL CONTROL OVER DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS
SEC. 412. ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORTS
SEC. 413. SANCTIONS
SEC. 414. EVALUATIONS
SEC. 415. NO REDUCTION IN BENEFITS
SEC. 416. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the "Assets for Independence Act".

SEC. 402. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:

(1) Economic well-being does not come solely from income, spending, and consumption, but
     also requires savings, investment, and accumulation of assets because assets can improve
     economic independence and stability, connect individuals with a viable and hopeful future,
     stimulate development of human and other capital, and enhance the welfare of offspring.

(2) Fully 1/2 of all Americans have either no, negligible, or negative assets available for
     investment, just as the price of entry to the economic mainstream, the cost of a house, an
     adequate education, and starting a business, is increasing. Further, the household savings
     rate of the United States lags far behind other industrial nations, presenting a barrier to
     economic growth.

(3) In the current tight fiscal environment, the United States should invest existing resources in
     high-yield initiatives. There is reason to believe that the financial returns, including
     increased income, tax revenue, and decreased welfare cash assistance, resulting from
     individual development accounts will far exceed the cost of investment in those accounts.

(4) Traditional public assistance programs concentrating on income and consumption have
      rarely been successful in promoting and supporting the transition to increased economic
      self-sufficiency. Income-based domestic policy should be complemented with asset-based
      policy because, while income-based policies ensure that consumption needs (including
      food, child care, rent, clothing, and health care) are met, asset-based policies provide the
      means to achieve greater independence and economic well-being.

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SEC. 403. PURPOSES.

The purposes of this title are to provide for the establishment of demonstration projects designed to determine--

(1) the social, civic, psychological, and economic effects of providing to individuals and families
     with limited means an incentive to accumulate assets by saving a portion of their earned
     income;

(2) the extent to which an asset-based policy that promotes saving for postsecondary
     education, homeownership, and microenterprise development may be used to enable
     individuals and families with limited means to increase their economic self-sufficiency; and

(3) the extent to which an asset-based policy stabilizes and improves families and the
     community in which the families live.

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SEC. 404. DEFINITIONS.

In this title:

(1) APPLICABLE PERIOD.--The term "applicable period" means, with respect to amounts to be
     paid from a grant made for a project year, the calendar year immediately preceding the
     calendar year in which the grant is made.

(2) ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL.--The term "eligible individual" means an individual who is selected
      to participate in a demonstration project by a qualified entity under section 409.

(3) EMERGENCY WITHDRAWAL.--The term "emergency withdrawal" means a withdrawal by an
      eligible individual that-- 
     (A) is a withdrawal of only those funds, or a portion of those funds, deposited by the
           individual in the individual development account of the individual;
     (B) is permitted by a qualified entity on a case-by-case basis; and
     (C) is made for--
         (i) expenses for medical care or necessary to obtain medical care, for the individual or a
             spouse or dependent of the individual described in paragraph (8)(D);
        (ii) payments necessary to prevent the eviction of the individual from the residence of the
             individual, or foreclosure on the mortgage for the principal residence of the individual,
             as defined in paragraph (8)(B); or
       (iii) payments necessary to enable the individual to meet necessary living expenses
             following loss of employment.

(4) HOUSEHOLD.--The term "household" means all individuals who share use of a dwelling
      unit as primary quarters for living and eating separate from other individuals.

(5) INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT.--
    (A) IN GENERAL.--The term "individual development account" means a trust created or
         organized in the United States exclusively for the purpose of paying the qualified
         expenses of an eligible individual, or enabling the eligible individual to make an
         emergency withdrawal, but only if the written governing instrument creating the trust
         contains the following requirements:
        (i) No contribution will be accepted unless the contribution is in cash or by check.
       (ii) The trustee is a federally insured financial institution, or a State insured financial
            institution if no federally insured financial institution is available.
      (iii) The assets of the trust will be invested in accordance with the direction of the eligible
            individual after consultation with the qualified entity providing deposits for the individual
            under section 410.
     (iv) The assets of the trust will not be commingled with other property except in a common
            trust fund or common investment fund.
      (v) Except as provided in clause (vi), any amount in the trust that is attributable to a deposit
           provided under section 410 may be paid or distributed out of the trust only for the
           purpose of paying the qualified expenses of the eligible individual.
     (vi) Any balance in the trust on the day after the date on which the individual for whose
           benefit the trust is established dies shall be distributed within 30 days of that date as
           directed by that individual to another individual development account established for
           the benefit of an eligible individual.

    (B) CUSTODIAL ACCOUNTS.--For purposes of subparagraph (A), a custodial account shall
          be treated as a trust if the assets of the custodial account are held by a bank (as defined
          in section 408(n) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C. 408 (n)]) or another
          person who demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that the manner in which
          such person will administer the custodial account will be consistent with the requirements
          of this title, and if the custodial account would, except for the fact that it is not a trust,
          constitute an individual development account described in subparagraph (A). For
          purposes of this title, in the case of a custodial account treated as a trust by reason of
          the preceding sentence, the custodian of that custodial account shall be treated as the 
          trustee of the account.

(6) PROJECT YEAR.--The term "project year" means, with respect to a demonstration project,
     any of the 5 consecutive 12-month periods beginning on the date the project is originally
     authorized to be conducted.

(7) QUALIFIED ENTITY.--
    (A) IN GENERAL.--The term "qualified entity" means--
        (i) one or more not-for-profit organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
            Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C. 501 (c)(3)] and exempt from taxation under section
             501(a) of such Code;
       (ii) a State or local government agency, or a tribal government, submitting an application
            under section 405 jointly with an organization described in clause (i); or
      (iii) an entity that-

       (I) is-
      (aa) a credit union designated as a low-income credit union by the National Credit Union
           Administration (NCUA); or
      (bb) an organization designated as a community development financial institution by the
           Secretary of the Treasury (or the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund);
           and

      (II) can demonstrate a collaborative relationship with a local community-based organization
           whose activities are designed to address poverty in the community and the needs of
           community members for economic independence and stability.

    (B) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.--Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as preventing
         an organization described in subparagraph (A)(i) from collaborating with a financial
         institution or for-profit community development corporation to carry out the purposes of
         this title.

(8) QUALIFIED EXPENSES.--The term "qualified expenses" means one or more of the
      following, as provided by a qualified entity:
    (A) POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES.-- Postsecondary educational expenses
          paid from an individual development account directly to an eligible educational institution.
          In this subparagraph:
       (i) POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES.--The term "postsecondary educational
           expenses" means the following:
       (I) TUITION AND FEES.--Tuition and fees required for the enrollment or attendance of a
           student at an eligible educational institution.
      (II) FEES, BOOKS, SUPPLIES, AND EQUIPMENT.--Fees, books, supplies, and equipment
           required for courses of instruction at an eligible educational institution.

      (ii) ELIGIBLE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION.--The term "eligible educational institution"
           means the following:
       (I) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.--An institution described in section 101 or 102
           of the Higher Education Act of 1965 [20 U.S.C. 1001,1002].
      (II) POSTSECONDARY VOCATIONAL EDUCATION SCHOOL.--An area vocational
           education school (as defined in subparagraph (C) or (D) of section 521(4) of the Carl
           D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act (20 U.S.C. 2471(4))) which
           is in any State (as defined in section 521(33) of such Act), as such sections are in effect
           on the date of enactment of this title [Oct. 27, 1998].

    (B) FIRST-HOME PURCHASE.--Qualified acquisition costs with respect to a principal
          residence for a qualified first-time homebuyer, if paid from individual development
          account directly to the persons to whom the amounts are due. In this subparagraph:
       (i) PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE.--The term "principal residence" means a main residence, the
           qualified acquisition costs of which do not exceed 120 percent of the average area
           purchase price applicable to such residence.
      (ii) QUALIFIED ACQUISITION COSTS.--The term "qualified acquisition costs" means the
           costs of acquiring, constructing, or reconstructing a residence. The term includes any
           usual or reasonable settlement, financing, or other closing costs.
     (iii) QUALIFIED FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER.--
      (I) IN GENERAL.--The term "qualified first-time homebuyer" means an individual
          participating in the project involved (and, if married, the individual's spouse) who has
          no present ownership interest in a principal residence during the 3-year period ending
          on the date of acquisition of the principal residence to which this subparagraph applies.
     (II) DATE OF ACQUISITION.--The term "date of acquisition" means the date on which a
          binding contract to acquire, construct, or reconstruct the principal residence to which this
          subparagraph applies is entered into.

    (C) BUSINESS CAPITALIZATION.--Amounts paid from an individual development account
          directly to a business capitalization account that is established in a federally insured
          financial institution (or in a State insured financial institution if no federally insured
          financial institution is available) and is restricted to use solely for qualified business
          capitalization expenses.

          In this subparagraph:
       (i) QUALIFIED BUSINESS CAPITALIZATION EXPENSES.--The term "qualified business
           capitalization expenses" means qualified expenditures for the capitalization of a qualified
           business pursuant to a qualified plan.
      (ii) QUALIFIED EXPENDITURES.--The term "qualified expenditures" means expenditures
           included in a qualified plan, including capital, plant, equipment, working capital, and
           inventory expenses.
     (iii) QUALIFIED BUSINESS.--The term "qualified business" means any business that does
           not contravene any law or public policy (as determined by the Secretary).
     (iv) QUALIFIED PLAN.--The term "qualified plan" means a business plan, or a plan to use a
           business asset purchased, which--
       (I) is approved by a financial institution, a microenterprise development organization, or a
           nonprofit loan fund having demonstrated fiduciary integrity;
      (II) includes a description of services or goods to be sold, a marketing plan, and projected
           financial statements; and
     (III) may require the eligible individual to obtain the assistance of an experienced
           entrepreneurial adviser.

    (D) TRANSFERS TO IDAS OF FAMILY MEMBERS.--Amounts paid from an individual
          development account directly into another such account established for the benefit of an
          eligible individual who is --
       (i) the individual's spouse; or
      (ii) any dependent of the individual with respect to whom the individual is allowed a
           deduction under section 151 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C. 151].

(9) QUALIFIED SAVINGS OF THE INDIVIDUAL FOR THE PERIOD.--The term "qualified 
     savings of the individual for the period" means the aggregate of the amounts contributed      
     by an individual to the individual development account of the individual during the period.

(10) SECRETARY.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Health and Human Services,
       acting through the Director of Community Services.

(11) TRIBAL GOVERNMENT.--The term "tribal government" means a tribal organization, as
       defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
       (25 U.S.C. 450b) or a Native Hawaiian organization, as defined in section 6207 of the
       Native Hawaiian Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7517).

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SEC. 405. APPLICATIONS.

(a) ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.-- Not later than 3 months after the
     date of enactment of this title [Oct. 27, 1998], the Secretary shall publicly announce the
      availability of funding under this title for demonstration projects and shall ensure that
      applications to conduct the demonstration projects are widely available to qualified entities.

(b) SUBMISSION.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this title, a qualified
      entity may submit to the Secretary an application to conduct a demonstration project under
      this title.

(c) CRITERIA.--In considering whether to approve an application to conduct a demonstration
     project under this title, the Secretary shall assess the following:
    (1) SUFFICIENCY OF PROJECT.-The degree to which the project described in the
         application appears likely to aid project participants in achieving economic self-
         sufficiency through activities requiring one or more qualified expenses.
    (2) ADMINISTRATIVE ABILITY.--The experience and ability of the applicant to responsibly
         administer the project.
    (3) ABILITY TO ASSIST PARTICIPANTS.--The experience and ability of the applicant in
         recruiting, educating, and assisting project participants to increase their economic
         independence and general well-being through the development of assets.
    (4) COMMITMENT OF NON-FEDERAL FUNDS.--The aggregate amount of direct funds from
         non-Federal public sector and from private sources that are formally committed to the
         project as matching contributions.
    (5) ADEQUACY OF PLAN FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION FOR EVALUATION.--The
         adequacy of the plan for providing information relevant to an evaluation of the
         project.
    (6) OTHER FACTORS.--Such other factors relevant to the purposes of this title as the
         Secretary may specify.

(d) PREFERENCES.--In considering an application to conduct a demonstration project under
      this title, the Secretary shall give preference to an application that --
   (1) demonstrates the willingness and ability to select individuals described in section 408 who
        are predominantly from households in which a child (or children) is living with the child's
        biological or adoptive mother or father, or with the child's legal guardian;
   (2) provides a commitment of non-Federal funds with a proportionately greater amount of
        such funds committed from private sector sources; and
   (3) targets such individuals residing within one or more relatively well-defined neighborhoods
        or communities (including rural communities) that experience high rates of poverty or
        unemployment.

(e) APPROVAL.--Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this title [Oct. 27, 1998],
     the Secretary shall, on a competitive basis, approve such applications to conduct
     demonstration projects under this title as the Secretary considers to be appropriate,
     taking into account the assessments required by subsections (c) and (d). The Secretary shall
     ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the applications that are approved involve a 
     range of communities (both rural and urban) and diverse populations.

(f) CONTRACTS WITH NONPROFIT ENTITIES.--The Secretary may contract with an entity
    described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from
    taxation under section 501(a) of such Code to carry out any responsibility of the Secretary
    under this section or section 412 if --
   (1) such entity demonstrates the ability to carry out such responsibility; and
   (2) the Secretary can demonstrate that such responsibility would not be carried out by the
        Secretary at a lower cost.

(g) GRANDFATHERING OF EXISTING STATEWIDE PROGRAMS.--Any statewide individual
     asset-building program that is carried out in a manner consistent with the purposes of this
     title, that is established under State law as of the date of enactment of this Act
     [Oct. 27, 1998], and that as of such date is operating with an annual State appropriation of
     not less than $1,000,000 in non-Federal funds, shall be deemed to meet the eligibility
     requirements of this subtitle, and the entity carrying out the program shall be deemed to 
     be a qualified entity. The Secretary shall consider funding the statewide program as a  
     demonstration project described in this subtitle. In considering the statewide program for 
     funding, the Secretary shall review an application submitted by the entity carrying out such 
     statewide program under this section, notwithstanding the preference requirements listed in 
     subsection (d). Any program requirements under sections 407 through 411 that are
     inconsistent with State statutory requirements in effect on the date of enactment of this Act,
     governing such statewide program, shall not apply to the program.

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SEC. 406. DEMONSTRATION AUTHORITY; ANNUAL GRANTS.

(a) DEMONSTRATION AUTHORITY.--If the Secretary approves an application to conduct a
     demonstration project under this title [Oct. 27, 1998], the Secretary shall, not later than 10
     months after the date of enactment of this title, authorize the applicant to conduct the project
     for 5 project years in accordance with the approved application and the requirements of this
     title.

(b) GRANT AUTHORITY.--For each project year of a demonstration project conducted under
      this title, the Secretary may make a grant to the qualified entity authorized to conduct the
      project. In making such a grant, the Secretary shall make the grant on the first day of the
      project year in an amount not to exceed the lesser of--
    (1) the aggregate amount of funds committed as matching contributions from non-Federal
         public or private sector sources; or
    (2) $1,000,000.

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SEC. 407. RESERVE FUND.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.--A qualified entity under this title, other than a State or local government
     agency or a tribal government, shall establish a Reserve Fund that shall be maintained in
     accordance with this section.

(b) AMOUNTS IN RESERVE FUND.--
    (1) IN GENERAL.--As soon after receipt as is practicable, a qualified entity shall deposit in
         the Reserve Fund established under subsection (a)--
       (A) all funds provided to the qualified entity from any public or private source in connection
             with the demonstration project; and
       (B) the proceeds from any investment made under subsection (c)(2).

    (2) UNIFORM ACCOUNTING REGULATIONS.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations 
         with respect to accounting for amounts in the Reserve Fund established under subsection
         (a).

(c) USE OF AMOUNTS IN THE RESERVE FUND.--
    (1) IN GENERAL.--A qualified entity shall use the amounts in the Reserve Fund established
         under subsection (a) to--
        (A) assist participants in the demonstration project in obtaining the skills (including
              economic literacy, budgeting, credit, and counseling skills) and information necessary
              to achieve economic self-sufficiency through activities requiring qualified expenses;
        (B) provide deposits in accordance with section 410 for individuals selected by the
              qualified entity to participate in the demonstration project;
        (C) administer the demonstration project; and
        (D) provide the research organization evaluating the demonstration project under section
              414 with such information with respect to the demonstration project as may be
              required for the evaluation.

    (2) AUTHORITY TO INVEST FUNDS.--
        (A) GUIDELINES.--The Secretary shall establish guidelines for investing amounts in the
              Reserve Fund established under subsection (a) in a manner that provides an
              appropriate balance between return, liquidity, and risk.
        (B) INVESTMENT.--A qualified entity shall invest the amounts in its Reserve Fund that are
              not immediately needed to carry out the provisions of paragraph (1), in accordance
              with the guidelines established under subparagraph (A).

    (3) LIMITATION ON USES.--Not more than 15 percent of the amounts provided to a qualified
         entity under section 406(b) shall be used by the qualified entity for the purposes
         described in subparagraphs (A), (C), and (D) of paragraph (1), of which not less than
         2 percent of the amounts shall be used by the qualified entity for the purposes described
         in paragraph (1)(D). Of the total amount specified in this paragraph, not more than 7.5
         percent shall be used for administrative functions under paragraph (1)(C), including
         program management, reporting requirements, recruitment and enrollment of individuals,
         and monitoring. The remainder of the total amount specified in this paragraph (not
         including the amount specified for use for the purposes described in paragraph (1)(D))
         shall be used for nonadministrative functions described in paragraph (1)(A), including
         case management, budgeting. economic literacy, and credit counseling. If the cost of
         nonadministrative functions described in paragraph (1)(A) is less than 5.5 percent of the
         total amount specified in this paragraph, such excess funds may be used for
         administrative functions. If two or more qualified entities are jointly administering a project,
         no qualified entity shall use more than its proportional share for the purposes described
         in subparagraphs (A), (C), and (D) of paragraph (1).

(d) UNUSED FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS TRANSFERRED TO THE SECRETARY WHEN
      PROJECT TERMINATES.-- Notwithstanding subsection (c), upon the termination of any
      demonstration project authorized under this section, the qualified entity conducting the
      project shall transfer to the Secretary an amount equal to--
    (1) the amounts in its Reserve Fund at the time of the termination; multiplied by
    (2) a percentage equal to--
        (A) the aggregate amount of grants made to the qualified entity under section 406(b);
              divided by
        (B) the aggregate amount of all funds provided to the qualified entity from all sources to
              conduct the project.

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SEC. 408. ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION.

(a) IN GENERAL.-- Any individual who is a member of a household that is eligible for assistance
     under the State temporary assistance for needy families program established under part A
     of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), or that meets each of the
     following requirements shall be eligible to participate in a demonstration project conducted
     under this title:
    (1) INCOME TEST.--The adjusted gross income of the household is equal to or less than 200
         percent of the poverty line (as determined by the Office of Management and Budget) or
         the earned income amount described in section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
         [26 U.S.C. 32] (taking into account the size of the household).
    (2) NET WORTH TEST.--
        (A) IN GENERAL.--The net worth of the household, as of the end of the calendar year
              preceding the determination of eligibility, does not exceed $10,000.
        (B) DETERMINATION OF NET WORTH.--For purposes of subparagraph (A), the net worth
             of a household is the amount equal to--
            (i) the aggregate market value of all assets that are owned in whole or in part by any
                member of the household; minus
           (ii) the obligations or debts of any member of the household.
       (C) EXCLUSIONS.--For purposes of determining the net worth of a household, a
             household's assets shall not be considered to include the primary dwelling unit and
             one motor vehicle owned by a member of the household.

(b) INDIVIDUALS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT.--The Secretary shall establish
     such regulations as are necessary to ensure compliance with this title if an individual
     participating in the demonstration project moves from the community in which the project is
     conducted or is otherwise unable to continue participating in that project, including regulations
     prohibiting future eligibility to participate in any other demonstration project conducted under
     this title.

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SEC. 409. SELECTION OF INDIVIDUALS TO PARTICIPATE.

From among the individuals eligible to participate in a demonstration project conducted under this title, each qualified entity shall select the individuals--
  (1) that the qualified entity determines to be best suited to participate; and
  (2) to whom the qualified entity will provide deposits in accordance with section 410.

SEC. 410. DEPOSITS BY QUALIFIED ENTITIES.

(a) IN GENERAL.--Not less than once every 3 months during each project year, each qualified
     entity under this title shall deposit in the individual development account of each individual
     participating in the project, or into a parallel account maintained by the qualified entity--
   (1) from the non-Federal funds described in section 405(c)(4), a matching contribution of not
         less than $0.50 and not more than $4 for every $1 of earned income (as defined in
         section 911(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C 911 (d)(2)]) deposited in
         the account by a project participant during that period;
   (2) from the grant made under section 406(b), an amount equal to the matching contribution
         made under paragraph (1); and
   (3) any interest that has accrued on amounts deposited under paragraph (1) or (2) on behalf
         of that individual into the individual development account of the individual or into a
         parallel account maintained by the qualified entity.

(b) LIMITATION ON DEPOSITS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL.--Not more than $2,000 from a grant 
     made under section 406(b) shall be provided to any one individual over the course of the
     demonstration project.

(c) LIMITATION ON DEPOSITS FOR A HOUSEHOLD.--Not more than $4,000 from a grant
     made under section 406(b) shall be provided to any one household over the course of
     the demonstration project.

(d) WITHDRAWAL OF FUNDS.--The Secretary shall establish such guidelines as may be
      necessary to ensure that funds held in an individual development account are not
      withdrawn, except for one or more qualified expenses, or for an emergency withdrawal.
      Such guidelines shall include a requirement that a responsible official of the qualified entity
      conducting a project approve a withdrawal from such an account in writing. The guidelines
      shall provide that no individual may withdraw funds from an individual development account
      earlier than 6 months after the date on which the individual first deposits funds in the
      account.

(e) REIMBURSEMENT.--An individual shall reimburse an individual development account for
      any funds withdrawn from the account for an emergency withdrawal, not later than 12
      months after the date of the withdrawal. If the individual fails to make the reimbursement,
      the qualified entity administering the account shall transfer the funds deposited into the
      account or a parallel account under this section to the Reserve Fund of the qualified entity,
      and use the funds to benefit other individuals participating in the demonstration project
      involved.

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SEC. 411. LOCAL CONTROL OVER DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.

A qualified entity under this title, other than a State or local government agency or a tribal government, shall, subject to the provisions of section 413, have sole authority over the administration of the project. The Secretary may prescribe only such regulations or guidelines with respect to demonstration projects conducted under this title as are necessary to ensure compliance with the approved applications and the requirements of this title.

SEC. 412. ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORTS.

(a) IN GENERAL.--Each qualified entity under this title shall prepare an annual report on the
      progress of the demonstration project. Each report shall include both program and
      participant information and shall specify for the period covered by the report the following
      information:|
    (1) The number and characteristics of individuals making a deposit into an individual
         development account.
    (2) The amounts in the Reserve Fund established with respect to the project.
    (3) The amounts deposited in the individual development accounts.
    (4) The amounts withdrawn from the individual development accounts and the purposes for
          which such amounts were withdrawn.
    (5) The balances remaining in the individual development accounts.
    (6) The savings account characteristics (such as threshold amounts and match rates)
          required to stimulate participation in the demonstration project, and how such
          characteristics vary among different populations or communities.
    (7) What service configurations of the qualified entity (such as configurations relating to
         peer support, structured planning exercises, mentoring, and case management)
         increased the rate and consistency of participation in the demonstration project and
         how such configurations varied among different populations or communities.
    (8) Such other information as the Secretary may require to evaluate the demonstration
          project.

(b) SUBMISSION OF REPORTS.--The qualified entity shall submit each report required to be
      prepared under subsection (a) to--
   (1) the Secretary; and
   (2) the Treasurer (or equivalent official) of the State in which the project is conducted, if the
        State or a local government or a tribal government committed funds to the demonstration
        project.

(c) TIMING.--The first report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted not later than 60
     days after the end of the project year in which the Secretary authorized the qualified entity
     to conduct the demonstration project, and subsequent reports shall be submitted every
     12 months thereafter, until the conclusion of the project.

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SEC. 413. SANCTIONS.

(a) AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.--If the Secretary determines
     that a qualified entity under this title is not operating a demonstration project in accordance
     with the entity's approved application under section 405 or the requirements of this title
     (and has not implemented any corrective recommendations directed by the Secretary), the
     Secretary shall terminate such entity's authority to conduct the demonstration project.

(b) ACTIONS REQUIRED UPON TERMINATION.--If the Secretary terminates the authority to
      conduct a demonstration project, the Secretary--
    (1) shall suspend the demonstration project;
    (2) shall take control of the Reserve Fund established pursuant to section 407;
    (3) shall make every effort to identify another qualified entity (or entities) willing and able to
         conduct the project in accordance with the approved application (or, if modification is
         necessary to incorporate the recommendations, the application as modified) and the
         requirements of this title;
    (4) shall, if the Secretary identifies an entity (or entities) described in paragraph (3)--
       (A) authorize the entity (or entities) to conduct the project in accordance with the approved
             application (or, if modification is necessary to incorporate the recommendations, the
             application as modified) and the requirements of this title;
       (B) transfer to the entity (or entities) control over the Reserve Fund established pursuant
             to section 407; and
       (C) consider, for purposes of this title--
           (i) such other entity (or entities) to be the qualified entity (or entities) originally
               authorized to conduct the demonstration project; and
          (ii) the date of such authorization to be the date of the original authorization; and(5) if, by
               the end of the 1-year period beginning on the date of the termination, the Secretary
               has not found a qualified entity (or entities) described in paragraph

    (3), shall--
        (A) terminate the project; and
        (B) from the amount remaining in the Reserve Fund established as part of the project,
              remit to each source that provided funds under section 405(c)(4) to the entity
              originally authorized to conduct the project, an amount that bears the same ratio to the
              amount so remaining as the amount provided from the source under section 405(c)(4)
              bears to the amount provided from all such sources under that section.

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SEC. 414. EVALUATIONS.

(a) IN GENERAL.--Not later than 10 months after the date of enactment of this title [Oct. 27, 1998], the
     Secretary shall enter into a contract with an independent research organization to evaluate
     the demonstration projects conducted under this title, individually and as a group, including
     evaluating all qualified entities participating in and sources providing funds for the
     demonstration projects conducted under this title.

(b) FACTORS TO EVALUATE.--In evaluating any demonstration project conducted under this
      title, the research organization shall address the following factors:
    (1) The effects of incentives and organizational or institutional support on savings behavior
          in the demonstration project.
    (2) The savings rates of individuals in the demonstration project based on demographic
          characteristics including gender, age, family size, race or ethnic background, and
          income.
    (3) The economic, civic, psychological, and social effects of asset accumulation, and how
          such effects vary among different populations or communities.
    (4) The effects of individual development accounts on savings rates, homeownership, level
          of postsecondary education attained, and self-employment, and how such effects vary
          among different populations or communities.
    (5) The potential financial returns to the Federal Government and to other public sector and
          private sector investors in individual development accounts over a 5-year and 10-year
          period of time.
    (6) The lessons to be learned from the demonstration projects conducted under this title and
          if a permanent program of individual development accounts should be established.
    (7) Such other factors as may be prescribed by the Secretary.

(c) METHODOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS.--In evaluating any demonstration project conducted
     under this title, the research organization shall--
    (1) for at least one site, use control groups to compare participants with nonparticipants;
    (2) before, during, and after the project, obtain such quantitative data as are necessary to
         evaluate the project thoroughly; and
    (3) develop a qualitative assessment, derived from sources such as in-depth interviews, of
         how asset accumulation affects individuals and families.

(d) REPORTS BY THE SECRETARY.--
    (1) INTERIM REPORTS.--Not later than 90 days after the end of the project year in which the
         Secretary first authorizes a qualified entity to conduct a demonstration project under this
         title, and every 12 months thereafter until all demonstration projects conducted under this
         title are completed, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an interim report setting forth
         the results of the reports submitted pursuant to section 412(b).
    (2) FINAL REPORTS.--Not later than 12 months after the conclusion of all demonstration
         projects conducted under this title, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a final report
         setting forth the results and findings of all reports and evaluations conducted pursuant to
         this title.

(e) EVALUATION EXPENSES.- Of the amount appropriated under section 416 for a fiscal year,
      the Secretary may expend not more than $500,000 for such fiscal year to carry out the
      objectives of this section.

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SEC. 415. NO REDUCTION IN BENEFITS

Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal law (other than the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C. 1 et seq]) that requires consideration of 1 or more financial circumstances of an individual, for the purpose of determining eligibility to receive, or the amount of, any assistance or benefit authorized by such law to be provided to or for the benefit of such individual, funds (including interest accruing) in an individual development account under this Act [see Short Title of 1998 Amendment note set out under section 9801 of this title] shall be disregarded for such purpose with respect to any period during which such individual maintains or makes contributions into such an account.

SEC. 416. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title, $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003, to remain available until expended. Approved October 27, 1998; Amended December 21, 2000.

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