Building Secure and Healthy Families Act of 2003

The Building Secure and Healthy Families Act of 2003 proposes several changes to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to provide more flexibility and protections for low-income families. The bill would replace existing grants focused on reducing out-of-wedlock births with new funding aimed at supporting stable family structures, while prohibiting discrimination based on marital status.

For citizens receiving assistance, the bill would expand what counts as "work" to include caring for a child or relative with a serious health condition or disability. It also introduces protections for survivors of domestic or sexual violence, preventing states from penalizing individuals for noncompliance with program rules if the violence was a contributing factor. Additionally, the legislation would end the practice of terminating benefits for an entire family if one member fails to meet work requirements.