HARRISBURG — “Able-bodied” adults enrolled in Medicaid would have to work at least 20 hours a week, look for a job or participate in job training under a bill passed Tuesday by the state House of Representatives.

The Republican-controlled chamber voted 115-80 for a bill that would require state officials to seek federal approval for a work requirement. All but five Republicans and just four Democrats voted to send it to the state Senate.

The list of exceptions includes people enrolled in high school full-time or receiving long-term disability benefits, those under age 19 or older than 64, pregnant women, prisoners and residents of mental health institutions.

“The goal of this bill is one we all share — to help individuals rise up out of poverty and achieve independence from government aid,” said the measure’s prime sponsor, Rep. Matthew Dowling, R-Fayette.

Opponents said many recipients already are working and the bill would set up a costly bureaucracy that could be difficult to navigate.

“Having this legislation pass will tie up people, and some of them will lose their health care,” said Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky, D-Delaware. “I want less bureaucracy, not more, and I’m certainly not in favor of creating more red tape.”

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed a bill last fall that contained a similar requirement.