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31 <br /> The Joint Legislative Public Assistance Commission shall further examine <br /> ways that Work First Program recipients can overcome obstacles to finding <br /> employment and remaining employed. <br /> Section 12.20A. (a) The Department of Commerce. tl:e Employrrnent <br /> Security Commission, and the Department of Health and Huma:-i Services shall <br /> proceed, in consultation with the community college system, to develop an amended <br /> Work First State Plan to secure federal Welfare-to-Mors ;ant funds to assist Work <br /> First Program recipients in' obtaining employment. The Department of Commerce. <br /> the Employment Security Commission, and the Department of Health and Human <br /> Services shall identify potential sources of State funds which may be used as a match <br /> for the federal grant. The Governor shall designate the Department of Commerce as <br /> the State's lead agency for the Welfare-to-Work initiative. The Governor also shall <br /> pursue a waiver from the federal government to permit the Job Service Employer <br /> Committees to administer the program at the local level. <br /> (b) The Department of Commerce, the Employment Security <br /> Commission, and the Department of Health and Human Services shall develop a plan <br /> to implement the Welfare-to-Work initiative in this State, develop performance goals <br /> and measures for this initiative, and estimate the cost impact on the State budget for <br /> the next five years of implementing the initiative. The Department of Commerce, the <br /> Employment Security Commission, and the Department of Health and Human <br /> Services shall report to the General Assembly its findings and recommendations by <br /> April 1, 1998. The Department of Commerce shall not expend anv State or federal <br /> funds for the Welfare-to-Work initiative until the amended State Plan is submitted to <br /> the General Assembly and the amended State Plan becomes law. <br /> Section 12.21. (a) Chapter 114 of the General Statutes is amended by <br /> adding a new Article to read: <br /> "ARTICLE 6. _ <br /> "Office of the Inspector General. <br /> "§ 114-40. Inspector General. <br /> a The Office of InQector General is tab i hed in the De ent of Justice to <br /> r vide a central d a n of and re§gonsibilitv for cti 'ti related to <br /> detection prosecution and prevention of fraud abuse and waste in means-tested <br /> Qublic assistance Rrograms The -Office -of Inspector General is designated-as the- <br /> State Law Enforcement Bureau (SLEB) to take custody and control of food stamp <br /> from the federal Food and Consumer Service to make them available to nonfederal <br /> law enforcement and investigative agencies to conduct criminal and food stamp <br /> program violation investigations. - <br /> (b) It shall be the dugv and responsibility of the Inspector General to: <br /> j, Receive complaints and information concerning alleged_ fraud. <br /> abuse and waste in means tested public assistance programs. <br /> (2) Investigate complaints and information received concernmg_alleQed <br /> fraud abuse or waste in mean's testedM.ublic assistance progr ms <br /> and whenever the Ge <br /> Inspector neral finds rt apt3ropnate to do so. <br /> to pursue action for an- v violations of In relating to means-tested <br /> public assistance gams whether by civil action or by criminal <br /> prosecution: <br /> Review the activities Rerformed in the Department of Health and <br /> Services Divisions of Medical Assistance and ocial <br /> Services and in local district attorney's offices relating o <br /> detection prosecution and prevention of fraud abuse r waste in <br /> means tested public assistance programs: <br /> — - --- — Paae 275_ <br />