Section 330. Definitions

1. Whenever used in this title:
    a.  the term "commissioner" means the commissioner of the state office
  of temporary and disability assistance; and
    b. the term "department" means  the  state  office  of  temporary  and
  disability assistance.
    2. "Net loss of cash income" shall mean the amount by which a family's
  gross  income  less any necessary work-related expenses is less than the
  cash assistance the individual was receiving at the time of receiving an
  offer of employment. Gross income  includes,  but  is  not  limited  to,
  earnings, unearned income and cash assistance.
    3.  "Child care" shall refer to any lawful form of care of a child, as
  defined  by  federal  and  state  law  and  regulation,  for  less  than
  twenty-four hours per day.
    4.  "Participant"  shall  mean an applicant for or recipient of public
  assistance who volunteers for or is  required  to  participate  in  work
  activities as provided in this title.
    5.  Notwithstanding  any  other provision of this chapter or the labor
  law, recipients of public assistance who are required to participate  in
  community  service  or work experience activities authorized pursuant to
  this title shall be included within the  meaning  of  the  term  "public
  employee"  for  the  purposes  of applying section twenty-seven-a of the
  labor law while engaged in community service or work experience programs
  under this  title.  In  addition,  such  recipients  shall  be  provided
  appropriate   workers'   compensation   or   equivalent  protection  for
  on-the-job injuries and tort claims protection on the  same  basis,  but
  not necessarily at the same benefit level, as they are provided to other
  persons  in  the  same  or  similar  positions,  while  participating in
  community service or work experience activities under this title.