(a) An applicant or recipient who is a past or present victim of domestic violence or at risk of further domestic violence, pursuant to subsection (c) of section 17b-112a, shall, for good cause: (1) Be excused from failing to participate in a work activity; or (2) be exempted from child support enforcement requirements pursuant to subsection (e) of section 17b-112. Such an applicant or recipient may, for good cause, be granted an extension of cash assistance beyond twenty-one months, provided the domestic violence experienced is of sufficient magnitude to reasonably render the individual unable to obtain or maintain employment.

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(b) Such standards and procedures for the determination of good cause shall include, but not be limited to, the following provisions:

(1) A finding of good cause for failure to participate in a work activity shall be made if (A) the applicant or recipient has physical injuries caused by abuse or psychological effects of abuse prohibiting such applicant or recipient to work, (B) a work activity is disrupted due to domestic violence, including civil or criminal legal proceedings related to such domestic violence, (C) the abuser actively interferes with the applicant’s or recipient’s work activity, attendance at work activity or child care arrangements, or (D) a work activity location puts the applicant or recipient at risk of further domestic violence;

(2) The commissioner shall find good cause whenever mandatory work activity or child support enforcement requirements would result in the inability or increased difficulty of an applicant or recipient to escape or prevent domestic violence;

(3) The finding of good cause shall not prohibit such applicant or recipient from voluntary participation in any work activity;

(4) A written, confidential procedure for the transmittal of the denial of a request for a finding of good cause to an applicant or recipient; and

(5) Access to a fair hearing procedure if an applicant or recipient is denied a request for a finding of good cause.

(c) An applicant or recipient may be required to seek an order of protection, attend counseling or take other actions to escape or prevent domestic violence, unless such an action would further the risk of continued or renewed violence.

(d) The Commissioner of Social Services shall implement policies and procedures necessary for the determination of good cause for the purpose of this section while in the process of adopting such policies and procedures in regulation form, provided the commissioner prints notice of intention to adopt the regulations in the Connecticut Law Journal within twenty days of implementing such policies and procedures. Final regulations shall be submitted to the legislative regulation review committee no later than November 15, 1997. Policies and procedures implemented pursuant to this subsection shall be valid until the time final regulations are effective.