House File 354 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 354 BY WATTS A BILL FOR An Act requiring the verification of lawful immigration status 1 to receive funds through the federal low-income home energy 2 assistance program. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 2427YH (1) 84 je/rj

H.F. 354 Section 1. NEW SECTION . 216A.102A Immigration status 1 verification for low-income home energy assistance program. 2 1. The department of human rights shall participate in 3 the systematic alien verification for entitlements program 4 established by United States citizenship and immigration 5 services in order to verify the eligibility of each person 6 seeking funds pursuant to the federal low-income home energy 7 assistance program. 8 2. Unless otherwise required by federal law, funds from the 9 federal low-income home energy assistance program shall not 10 be awarded to a household unless at least one member of the 11 household is a United States citizen or lawfully present in the 12 United States. 13 EXPLANATION 14 This bill directs the department of human rights to 15 participate in the systematic alien verification for 16 entitlements (SAVE) program established by United States 17 citizenship and immigration services in order to verify the 18 eligibility of each person seeking funds through the federal 19 low-income home energy assistance program. The bill prohibits 20 the department from awarding funds from the program to a 21 household unless at least one member of the household is a 22 United States citizen or lawfully present in the United States, 23 unless otherwise required by federal law. 24 -1- LSB 2427YH (1) 84 je/rj 1/ 1