Reps. CROMER and PACE propose the following Amendment No. to H.5126 as introduced by Ways & Means

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EXPLANATION: Requires funds for the First Steps Readiness initiative to only be used for lawfully present individuals in the United States. Further, requires First Steps providers to abide by verification procedures established by the Treasurer's Office. Grants authority to the Treasurer's Office to review program expeditures and require repayment.

Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 117, GENERAL PROVISIONS, page 572, after line 9, by adding an appropriately numbered proviso to read:

/(GP: First Steps Lawful Presence Verification) Funds appropriated in this act for the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness initiative may be used only for services provided to individuals who are lawfully present in the United States. Funds appropriated in this act may not be used to enroll or provide services to any individual until lawful presence has been verified. Prior to the expenditure of funds appropriated in this act, the Office of First Steps to School Readiness and any entity administering First Steps programs, including any sub-recipient, contractor, or partner entity, shall verify lawful presence in accordance with verification procedures established by the State Treasurer's Office. Failure to verify lawful presence prior to enrollment shall constitute misuse of funds appropriated in this act. Funds appropriated in this act may not be distributed to any provider that fails to comply with the verification procedures required by this provision. The State Treasurer's Office may review program expenditures to ensure compliance with this provision. If the Treasurer determines that funds appropriated in this act have been used to provide services to individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States, the Treasurer shall require repayment of the misspent funds and may withhold future distributions of state funds to the responsible entity until repayment has been satisfied./

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend totals and titles to conform.