<section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-101" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Administration” means the Family Investment Administration.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Department” means the Department of Human Services.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Executive Director” means the Executive Director of Family Investment.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Local department” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a local department of social services created or continued in a county under § 3–201 of this article; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in Montgomery County, the Montgomery County government.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Local director” means the director of a local department.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Secretary” means the Secretary of Human Services.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-201" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Family Investment Administration"> <text>There is a Family Investment Administration in the Department.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-202" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Family Investment Administration"> <text>The Administration and the Executive Director exercise their authority, duties, and functions under any State law subject to the authority of the Secretary under any State law.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-203" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Family Investment Administration"> <level label="a"> <text>The Executive Director is the head of the Administration.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>With the approval of the Governor, the Secretary shall appoint the Executive Director.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Executive Director serves at the pleasure of the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Executive Director is entitled to the compensation provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-204" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Family Investment Administration"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to State and federal laws governing the administration of public assistance, the Executive Director shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>organize and administer the Administration;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>supervise the public assistance activities of the local departments; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>supervise other agencies and institutions under the supervision of the Administration.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Executive Director may prescribe the number and minimum qualifications of the personnel engaged in the administration of the activities of the Administration and of the local departments that are financed wholly or partly by the Administration.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>As provided in the State budget, the Executive Director may appoint the personnel required to properly perform the duties of the Administration.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Except as otherwise provided, appointment and removal of all paid personnel under this title are subject to the provisions of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Executive Director shall submit budget estimates for the Administration to the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Executive Director shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>develop a comprehensive process to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>systematically analyze cash assistance payment errors;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>formulate strategies, including improvements in the eligibility determination process, to reduce the errors; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>monitor implementation of the strategies;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>require each local department to submit annual plans that contain measurable objectives, including objectives for participation in work activities, to meet the goals of the Family Investment Program; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>monitor the success of the local departments in achieving the objectives of the plans.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-205" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Family Investment Administration"> <level label="a"> <text>The Administration shall be the central coordinating and directing agency of all public assistance programs in the State, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Family Investment Program and related cash benefit programs;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>public assistance to adults;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>emergency assistance;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>food stamps;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>medical assistance eligibility determinations;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the Energy Assistance Program;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>the Temporary Disability Assistance Program;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>the federal Commodity Supplemental Food Program with funds and resources received from the United States Department of Agriculture under 7 C.F.R. 247; and</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>any other public assistance activities financed wholly or partly by the Administration.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Administration shall supervise, direct, and control the activities of the local departments that it finances wholly or partly.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Administration may visit any State-aided institution, organization, or agency engaged in public assistance activities and inspect thoroughly its management, buildings, and equipment.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Visits and inspections under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be made:</text> <level label="i"> <text>at reasonably convenient hours; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>with reasonable regard for the established discipline, regulations, and customs of the institution, organization, or agency.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>As desirable or necessary for the purpose of this title, the Administration may designate existing agencies or organizations in the State as the Administration’s agents.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Before the start of each regular session of the General Assembly, the Administration shall submit a report of its activities to the Governor.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-206" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Family Investment Administration"> <text>The Department may develop and implement an automated statewide system and related administrative procedures to achieve effectively and efficiently the purposes of this title.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-207" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Family Investment Administration"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to § 2-209(b) of this article, the Executive Director may adopt regulations necessary to carry out the duties imposed on the Executive Director by law.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Executive Director shall adopt regulations covering the custody, use, and preservation of the records of the Administration and the local departments concerning applicants for and recipients of public assistance.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The use of the records of the Administration and the local departments by any other governmental unit shall be limited to the purposes for which the records are furnished.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>All regulations or directives implemented by the Executive Director that are based on federal law, rules, regulations, or guidelines shall have the federal material:</text> <level label="i"> <text>referenced in the text of the State material; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>attached permanently to the State material.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department shall furnish to each of the local departments at least one up-to-date copy of all current federal regulations applicable to the operations of the local department.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-301" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Community service” means a structured program with embedded activities in which individuals perform unpaid work:</text> <level label="1"> <text>for the direct benefit of the community; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>under the guidance and support of a public or nonprofit organization.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“FIP” means the Family Investment Program.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Nonprofit organization” means a religious, charitable, or volunteer organization that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Recipient” means each individual in a FIP case.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Temporary cash assistance” means the cash assistance component of the FIP that is funded wholly or partly through Title IV, Part A, of the Social Security Act.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Third party payee” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an individual that the Department approves;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a nonprofit organization;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a for–profit organization; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a governmental unit, including a local department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Transitional assistance” means assistance provided to a recipient whose temporary cash assistance has been terminated for noncompliance with FIP requirements.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Work activity” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>job search activity;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>subsidized employment in either the public or private sector;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>work experience;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>on–the–job training;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>community service;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>training directly related to employment; or</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>education directly related to employment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <text>“Work experience” means unpaid work activity, performed in return for temporary cash assistance, that provides an individual with an opportunity to acquire the general skills, knowledge, and work habits necessary to obtain employment.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-302" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Family Investment Program in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The primary purpose of this subtitle is to support family efforts to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through services and financial aid geared to individual family needs.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-303" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <text>The Secretary shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>implement a FIP that meets the requirements of this subtitle and federal law;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>supervise the administration by local departments of the FIP under this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>cooperate with the federal government in matters of mutual concern pertaining to federal funding for the FIP; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-304" future_version_removed="true" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Children of current or former recipients” means minors who:</text> <level label="i"> <text>are at least 14 years old; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>reside with current or former recipients of benefits.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Former recipient” means an individual who received benefits under FIP in the past 5 years.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Foster youth” means an individual who:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is an adult in out–of–home care under the responsibility of the State; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>is an adult under the age of 25 years; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>was in out–of–home care under the responsibility of the State on the individual’s 18th birthday.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Obligor” has the meaning stated in § 10–101 of the Family Law Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary of Budget and Management, with the assistance of the Secretary, shall develop and implement a plan for hiring current and former recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors by the principal departments within the Executive Branch of State government.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For each principal department, the plan shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the units that most easily could hire current and former recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the positions most suitable for current and former recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a proposal for recruiting current and former recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>job retention strategies; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>a target number of current and former recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors to be recruited.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In consultation with the Secretary, the Secretary of Budget and Management shall report, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Appropriations Committee of the General Assembly:</text> <level label="i"> <text>on or before January 1, 2010, on the development of the hiring plan for current and former recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>on or before November 1 of each year, on the number of recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors hired and retained by the principal departments within the Executive Branch of State government.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Working with appropriate local government officials, the Secretary and each local director shall develop and implement a local government hiring plan under which local governments may hire current and former recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For each jurisdiction, the local government hiring plan shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a list of the units that most easily could hire current and former recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a list of the employment positions most suitable for current and former recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>proposals to recruit current and former recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>employment retention strategies; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>a target number of current and former recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors to be recruited.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Each local director shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>develop and submit the local government hiring plan in accordance with a schedule and format that the Secretary determines;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>implement in a timely manner the proposals and strategies in the local government hiring plan;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>achieve the target numbers in the local government hiring plan; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>develop and submit reports to the Secretary in accordance with a schedule and format that the Secretary determines.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>On or before November 1 of each year and in consultation with the Maryland Association of Counties, the Secretary shall report, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Appropriations Committee of the General Assembly, on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the development of the local government hiring plan; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the number of current and former recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors hired and retained by local governments.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Secretary shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>establish a process through which a person may recommend a vocational, workforce training, or job placement program for inclusion in the database developed and maintained under § 15–160 of the Health – General Article; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if appropriate, forward a recommendation made under item (1) of this subsection to the Maryland Department of Health for inclusion in the database.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-306" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <text>In providing assistance under this subtitle, the Department may contract with:</text> <level label="1"> <text>charitable organizations;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>private organizations;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>religious organizations; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>institutions of higher education.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the Department contracts with a State, local, or nongovernmental contractor, the contractor shall provide individuals with disabilities access and equal opportunity to participate in the benefits of the services, programs, and activities provided by the contractor in accordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, including reasonable accommodations necessary to participate in FIP.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>For any contract with a nongovernmental entity in place as of October 1, 2024, the Department annually shall review each contract to measure:</text> <level label="1"> <text>overall program impact, including the number of recipients enrolled in education or training programs that increase the recipient’s skill level;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>interim progress toward employment for current recipients of temporary cash assistance, including the number of recipients earning an education credential or a skill–based certificate;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>employment outcomes for families who left temporary cash assistance due to earnings, including the number of employment outcomes with wages that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>equal the State minimum wage;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>meet or exceed 150% of the State minimum wage; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>meet or exceed 200% of the State minimum wage; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the number of the recipients served experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity while participating in work activities.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Within 45 days after completion of the Department’s review under subsection (c) of this section, the Department shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, submit the review to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Appropriations Committee; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>publish the review on the Department’s website.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-307" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a religious organization may participate in the FIP on the same basis as any other nongovernmental entity.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An individual may not be required to accept assistance from a religious organization if acceptance would violate the individual’s bona fide religious beliefs and practices.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An organization funded under the FIP may not discriminate on the basis of religion, religious belief, or refusal to participate in a religious practice with respect to any individual’s receipt of service under the FIP.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Department shall provide all recipients with clear and timely notice of their rights under § 104(e) of the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-308" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>In this subsection the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Target work rate” means the rate established for the State by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services based on the State’s caseload reduction credit under the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, 42 U.S.C. 22–601 et seq.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>“Work participation rate” means the federal work participation rate established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, 42 U.S.C. 22–601 et seq.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A family may be eligible for assistance under this subtitle only if the family includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a minor child who resides with a custodial parent or other adult caretaker who is a relative of the child; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a pregnant individual.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Assistance shall be provided to an applicant or recipient under this subtitle only if the applicant or recipient:</text> <level label="i"> <text>resides in the State at the time of application for assistance;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if applicable:</text> <level label="1"> <text>has applied for child support services with the appropriate local child support enforcement office at the time of application for assistance; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>complies with the requirements of the local child support enforcement office;</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>participates in work activity under this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>meets all other FIP requirements that the Secretary establishes by regulation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Subject to paragraph (5) of this subsection, the Department shall allow an applicant or a recipient to meet the work activity requirement for a maximum of 24 months by engaging in:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a minimum of 20 hours per week of vocational education that leads to an associate degree, a diploma, or a certificate; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an average of at least 20 hours per week of education directly related to employment, which may include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an adult basic education program;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an English as a second language program; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a GED program.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>If the work participation rate does not exceed the target work rate by 10% in any month, the Department, after providing at least 30 days prior notice to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Appropriations Committee, may suspend the application of paragraph (4) of this subsection to new applicants until the work participation rate exceeds the target work rate by 10% for 3 consecutive months.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The Department may require a work–eligible individual to participate in work activity for a maximum of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>30 hours per week for an individual with a child at least 6 years old;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>20 hours per week for a single parent or caretaker relative with a child under the age of 6 years;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a combined average of 35 hours per week for a family with two work–eligible parents who do not receive federally funded child care assistance; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a combined average of 55 hours per week for a family with two work–eligible parents who receive federally funded child care assistance, provided that an adult in the family does not have a disability or is not caring for a child with a disability.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <level label="i"> <text>A work–eligible individual may choose to participate in work activity for more than the required weekly hours under paragraph (6) of this subsection, up to a maximum of 40 hours per week, provided that working the additional hours does not violate the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Department may not reduce the temporary cash assistance of an individual, as provided in § 5–312(e)(1)(i) of this subtitle, if the individual is meeting the Department’s minimum work activity participation requirement and participating in work activity for less than 40 hours per week.</text> </level> </level> <level label="8"> <text>The Department shall accept verification of an individual’s work activity participation through multiple methods, including electronic submission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>An individual may not be required to meet the work activity requirement under subsection (a)(3)(iii) of this section if the individual is exempt under criteria the Secretary establishes.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The criteria shall include exemptions for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, adults who are required to care for a child who is a recipient under the age of 1 year;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, adults and children who are recipients and who are severely disabled; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>adults who have not received assistance for at least 6 months.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An exemption based on an adult’s requirement to care for a child who is a recipient under the age of 1 year may not be restricted to a maximum number of months in the adult’s lifetime.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>An individual’s exemption because of severe disability is limited to 12 months unless:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the individual applies for Supplemental Security Income; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the application is approved, pending, or on appeal.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Assistance for an individual who qualifies for an exemption under this subsection but who voluntarily participates in a work activity may not be reduced or terminated as a result of the participation in the work activity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Assistance for an individual may not be reduced or terminated for noncompliance with the work activity requirement if the individual has good cause under the criteria established by the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The criteria shall provide that any of the following are sufficient to show good cause:</text> <level label="i"> <text>temporary illness or incapacity;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>court–required appearances or temporary incarceration;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>domestic violence;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a family crisis that threatens normal family functioning, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>experiencing homelessness whereby a family:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, or shares the housing of other persons due to the loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>lives in a motel, hotel, trailer park, or camping ground due to a lack of alternative accommodations;</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>lives in an emergency shelter or transitional housing;</text> </level> <level label="D"> <text>resides in a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; or</text> </level> <level label="E"> <text>lives in a car park, public space, vacant or abandoned building, substandard housing, bus station, train station, or similar setting;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a housing crisis, including eviction, foreclosure, or other loss of housing; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>receiving a utility disconnection notice or having a utility disconnected;</text> </level> </level> <level label="v"> <text>a breakdown in transportation arrangements;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>a breakdown in child care arrangements or lack of child care for a child or children who are 12 years old or younger;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>for a single parent caring for a child younger than 6 years old who is unable to obtain child care:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the unavailability of appropriate child care within a reasonable distance from the parent’s home or work site;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the unavailability or unsuitability of informal child care by a relative or others; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the unavailability or unsuitability of appropriate and affordable child care arrangements;</text> </level> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>a lack of supportive services identified and agreed on by an individual and a local department; or</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>the failure of a local department to offer or provide a reasonable accommodation to an individual with a disability.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subsection, “good cause” means that circumstances exist in which cooperation with child support may be against the best interest of the child.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The FIP shall determine that an individual has good cause for noncooperation with child support if circumstances exist in which cooperation by the individual with child support may be against the best interest of the child.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The FIP may not deny an application or reduce or terminate assistance if an individual has good cause for noncooperation with child support under criteria established by the Secretary.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The criteria established by the Secretary shall provide that an individual has good cause for noncooperation if the individual states that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>cooperation risks physical or emotional harm to or retaliation against the child or the relative with whom the child resides;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the child for whom support is sought was conceived as a result of incest or rape;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>proceedings for the adoption of the child are pending or under consideration; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>cooperation risks discouraging a noncustodial parent of the child from maintaining a relationship with the child or providing emotional or other support.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>The FIP is responsible for granting good cause to an individual for noncooperation with child support.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In the process of granting good cause, a FIP worker at a local department may not contact the noncustodial parent from whom support would be sought.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>An individual who claims good cause under this subtitle is not required to produce written evidence.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Department may not require third–party verification to prove good cause.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>An individual may provide an oral or written statement to prove good cause.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>If an individual provides an oral statement to prove good cause, a FIP worker at a local department shall document the oral statement.</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>If an individual needs assistance, a FIP worker at a local department shall assist the individual in preparing a written statement or documenting an oral statement on a standardized form created by the Department.</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>The FIP may not require a written statement to be notarized or be in any other format that imposes a cost on the individual.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>During the application and certification process for assistance, the FIP shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>notify all individuals on the availability of child support pass–through and disregard;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>notify all individuals of the right of the individual to claim good cause to not cooperate with child support, the criteria for good cause, and the time frame and process for requesting good cause;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>notify all individuals that a FIP worker can provide the individual with assistance in requesting good cause;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>at a minimum, provide the notice required under this paragraph:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in writing on the application for assistance;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>orally during a phone interview or an in–person interview; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>in all written FIP notices about child support compliance or noncompliance;</text> </level> </level> <level label="v"> <text>provide an individual with assistance in requesting good cause; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>provide an individual with an opportunity to claim good cause.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The FIP may not deny an application or terminate assistance if the Child Support Administration determines that an individual has adequate reason for noncooperation with child support.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Circumstances beyond the control of an individual that are adequate reasons for noncooperation with child support include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>delivery of mail from the Child Support Administration to an incorrect address;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>natural disaster or civil disorder;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>critical illness;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a family crisis requiring an individual’s full attention; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>travel by an individual away from home, both in the period during which the Department mailed notices and during which the Department scheduled appointments.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Child Support Administration shall determine that there is adequate reason for an individual’s noncooperation with child support using the criteria under paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>An individual may request and receive a determination that there is good cause or adequate reason for noncooperation with child support at any time during the application and certification period.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The Department shall inform an individual who does not provide the requested information related to child support that the individual may attest to the lack of information.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Department shall offer assistance with preparing the attestation under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department shall consider an individual who attests to the lack of information to be in cooperation with child support.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>Subject to the State budget, a legal immigrant is entitled to assistance under this subtitle if the immigrant:</text> <level label="1"> <text>meets FIP eligibility requirements under this subtitle and any other requirements imposed by the State; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>arrived in the United States before August 22, 1996; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>arrived in the United States on or after August 22, 1996 and is not eligible for federally funded cash assistance.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-308.1" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <text>The purpose of work experience is to improve the employability of individuals who cannot find unsubsidized full–time employment.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Department may refer an individual to work experience for work activity if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>private sector employment is not available;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the maximum work experience placement for the individual does not exceed 90 days in a 3–year period;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the Department offers the individual at least three work activity options that include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>subject to subsection (c) of this section, only one work experience option; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>at least one option that is work activity or a program funded by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the individual chooses the work experience for work activity;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the Department informs the individual that the individual may subsequently change to different work activity; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the work experience provides skills that match the individual’s personal, career, and family goals to support economic mobility.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the Department offers work experience as work activity, the Department may not offer community service as work activity.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If at any time the requirements of subsection (b) of this section are not met, an individual placed in work experience may request a transfer to different work activity.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-308.2" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <text>The purpose of community service is to improve the employability of individuals who cannot find unsubsidized full–time employment.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Community service shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>be limited to projects that service a useful community purpose in fields including health, social service, environmental protection, education, urban and rural development, welfare, recreation, public facilities, public safety, and child care; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>be supervised on an ongoing basis at least once each day in which the individual is scheduled to participate in the community service.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department may refer an individual to community service for work activity if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>private sector employment is not available;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the maximum community service placement for the individual does not exceed 90 days in a 3–year period;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the Department offers to the individual at least three work activity options that shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>subject to subsection (d) of this section, only one community service option; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>at least one work activity option or a program funded by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the individual chooses the community service for work activity;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the Department informs the individual that the individual may subsequently change to different work activity;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the community service provides skills that match the individual’s personal, career, and family goals to support economic mobility; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>when making appropriate community service assignments, the Department has considered the individual’s prior training, experience, and skills.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If the Department offers community service as work activity, the Department may not offer work experience as work activity.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>If at any time the requirements of subsection (c) of this section are not met, an individual placed in community service may request a transfer to different work activity.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-309" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <text>Except for an applicant or recipient who is a single child, the FIP shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an assessment of each applicant or recipient that considers:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the reasons for applying for or continuing to rely on assistance;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an evaluation of appropriate work activities based on educational level, literacy, health, mental or physical impairments, housing stability, child care needs, transportation needs, history of domestic or family violence, job skills and readiness, and interests;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>personal and family resources available to facilitate independence; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>whether the applicant or recipient qualifies for an exemption or has good cause not to participate in a work activity; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>welfare avoidance grants that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>meet immediate needs so that an applicant or recipient can avoid temporary cash assistance;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>may be granted as the Department considers appropriate;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>may not cover the same type of immediate need met by a previous welfare avoidance grant unless the Department determines that the current immediate need is a new and verified emergency;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>do not exceed an amount of 3 months of temporary cash assistance, unless the Department determines there is a compelling need for an amount not exceeding 12 months; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>may not duplicate periods of temporary cash assistance.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except for a recipient who is a single child, the FIP for a recipient shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an agreement between the Department and the recipient that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>requires the recipient to cooperate with the child support enforcement agency to obtain support from a noncustodial parent;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>requires the recipient to comply with reasonable requests for cooperation by case management workers in seeking and using programs and community and family resources that may be available to the recipient;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>specifies the work activities in which the recipient will participate;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>specifies the supportive services that the local department will assist in providing and that are necessary for the recipient to meet the recipient’s obligations under the FIP; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>specifies the reasonable accommodations that a local department will provide to a recipient with a disability that are necessary for the recipient to meet the recipient’s obligations under the FIP;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>supportive services activities, including child care, to the extent resources allow;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>referral, as appropriate, to family planning counseling and services that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>are not offered or conducted in a manner that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is coercive;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>violates the recipient’s confidentiality; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>violates the recipient’s bona fide religious beliefs and practices; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>give preference to eligible teen parents; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>temporary cash assistance, as a last resort.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except for an applicant who is a single child, the FIP for an applicant shall include a child care voucher:</text> <level label="1"> <text>to the extent resources allow, if the applicant is required to participate in a work activity as a condition of eligibility; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if providing child care eliminates the applicant’s need for cash assistance under the FIP.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>For an applicant or recipient who is a single child, the FIP shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>referral to appropriate services; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>temporary cash assistance for the recipient, as a last resort.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>To the extent resources allow, the FIP shall serve noncustodial parents who need employment services to pay child support obligations.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-310" future_version_removed="true" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>For a recipient that is an assistance unit that includes adults and children or minor parents and children, the amount of assistance shall be designated as follows:</text> <level label="i"> <text>75% for the child or children in the assistance unit; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>25% for the adult member or members, or minor parent or parents of the assistance unit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For a recipient that is an assistance unit that includes only adults or a recipient who is a pregnant individual, 100% of the amount of assistance shall be designated for the adult member or members or the pregnant individual.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For applicants to the FIP, the amount of assistance shall be computed by counting no more than 4 weeks of earned income in any month and disregarding 20% of that earned income.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>Through fiscal year 2027, the first $100 of child support collected in a month for one child and the first $200 of child support collected in a month for two or more children shall pass through to the family and shall be disregarded in computing the amount of assistance.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For fiscal year 2028, the greater of $100 of any child support collected in a month for one child and $200 of child support collected in a month for two or more children or 25% of any child support collected in a month shall pass through to the family and shall be disregarded in computing the amount of assistance.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For fiscal year 2029, the greater of $100 of any child support collected in a month for one child and $200 of child support collected in a month for two or more children or 50% of any child support collected in a month shall pass through to the family and shall be disregarded in computing the amount of assistance.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>For fiscal year 2030, the greater of $100 of any child support collected in a month for one child and $200 of child support collected in a month for two or more children or 75% of any child support collected in a month shall pass through to the family and shall be disregarded in computing the amount of assistance.</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>For fiscal year 2031 and each fiscal year thereafter, any child support collected in a month shall pass through to the family and shall be disregarded in computing the amount of assistance.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>For eligible recipients who obtain unsubsidized employment, the amount of assistance shall be computed by counting no more than 4 weeks of earned income in any month and disregarding 40% of that earned income.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A recipient who has established eligibility may not lose eligibility solely because one or more wage earners in the family unit works more than 100 hours per month.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Two–parent families shall be exempt from any requirement that the principal wage earner must have worked for a specified time before applying to the FIP.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A child who is living with the child’s parent and a stepparent in a household in which the household income exceeds the State eligibility standard for assistance may receive assistance if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the requirements of § 5–308 of this subtitle are met; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the parent and the child would be eligible for assistance, based on the income of the parent and that parent’s children.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The amount of assistance to be paid under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be computed with regard to the income of the stepparent if the total income of the stepparent equals or exceeds 50% of the official poverty level, adjusted for family size, established under the federal Community Services Block Grant Act.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A dependent child over the age of 17 years is eligible for inclusion in the FIP grant if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the child is a full–time student in secondary school or the equivalent; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the education program is expected to be completed in the calendar year that the child attains the age of 19 years.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-311" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <text>All assistance granted under this subtitle is subject to periodic recertification.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>At any time, the Department may cancel, suspend, or revoke assistance if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the recipient’s circumstances have altered sufficiently to warrant cancellation, suspension, or revocation; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the recipient has failed to comply with FIP requirements.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-312" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <text>This section is not intended to create an incentive for individuals to seek temporary cash assistance benefits instead of employment.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A local department shall provide temporary cash assistance to an applicant or recipient only if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the applicant or recipient meets the requirements for participation in the FIP set forth in § 5–308 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the applicant or recipient assigns to the State all right, title, and interest in support, for the period that the family receives temporary cash assistance, from any other person that the applicant or recipient has on behalf of any intended or potential recipient for whom the applicant or recipient is applying for or receiving assistance; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>in the case of an applicant or recipient who is a minor parent, the applicant or recipient lives:</text> <level label="i"> <text>with a parent, legal guardian, custodian, or other adult relative who will be the payee of the minor parent;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>in an adult–supervised group living arrangement that provides a protective payee and:</text> <level label="1"> <text>there is no available parent, legal guardian, custodian, or other adult relative with whom the minor parent can live;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the minor parent or child would be subject to physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or neglect in the home of any available adult relative; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a social service worker finds that living with any available adult relative would not be in the best interest of the minor parent or child; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>independently, if a social service worker confirms that the physical safety or emotional health of the minor parent or child would otherwise be in jeopardy.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A recipient who meets the requirements of the FIP is entitled to temporary cash assistance benefits.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>In determining the eligibility for and the amount of temporary cash assistance to be provided to an applicant or recipient who is a legal immigrant, the income and resources of the applicant or recipient shall include, for the period of time established by federal law, the income and resources of any sponsor who executed an affidavit of support in accordance with 8 U.S.C. § 1183a on behalf of the legal immigrant.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The local department shall impose a 30% reduction of the portion of a recipient’s grant amount designated for the adult member or members, minor parent or parents, or pregnant individual if an adult member, minor parent, or pregnant individual is found to be in noncompliance, without good cause, with FIP work activity requirements.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The portion of the grant amount designated for the child or children of the assistance unit may not be reduced or terminated based on noncompliance by an adult member’s or minor parent’s noncompliance with FIP work activity requirements.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The local department shall impose a 25% reduction of the entire grant amount if an adult member or minor parent is found to be in noncompliance without adequate reason or good cause with child support requirements.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>If a recipient is found to be in noncompliance with FIP requirements, the local department shall provide a 30–day conciliation period for each instance of noncompliance.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>During the 30–day conciliation period, the case manager shall advise the recipient of the noncompliance, and help the recipient to comply by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>investigating the reasons for noncompliance, including by personally contacting the family of the recipient;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>evaluating and preparing a written determination of whether the recipient qualifies for an exemption or good cause under § 5–308(b), (c), (d), or (e) of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>sending the recipient a letter offering a conciliation conference; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>assisting the recipient in identifying and resolving any barriers to compliance.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Secretary may not reduce or terminate temporary cash assistance to a family until 30 days after the day on which the first written notice of noncompliance was sent to the recipient.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>For noncompliance with a FIP requirement, the full amount of temporary cash assistance shall resume on compliance with the FIP requirement.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>If temporary cash assistance is reduced or terminated under this subsection, a recipient shall retain eligibility for medical assistance and food stamps, as long as the recipient meets the medical assistance and food stamp program requirements.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>After termination of temporary cash assistance under this section, a recipient may receive transitional assistance.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a caseworker determines that transitional assistance is appropriate, the FIP benefit that would have been paid to the recipient shall be paid instead to a third party payee on behalf of the recipient for a period of up to 3 months.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The caseworker of a recipient, in conjunction with the recipient and subject to the approval of the Secretary, shall select a third party payee described in paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The third party payee shall provide transitional assistance to the recipient in one or more of the following forms:</text> <level label="i"> <text>counseling;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>housing;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>child care;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>household supplies and equipment;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>direct assistance other than a cash payment; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>any other noncash assistance that may be necessary to assist the recipient to make the transition from welfare.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A local department may pay an administrative fee to a third party payee to cover the administrative costs of the third party payee for providing the services described in paragraph (4) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The funds provided through transitional assistance may not be used to further sectarian religious instruction.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>The Secretary shall adopt regulations specifying the selection criteria for third party payees under this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>A recipient who has received transitional assistance may reapply for the FIP benefit and the benefit shall be furnished with reasonable promptness to all eligible individuals.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-313" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section and in regulations that the Secretary adopts, a local department may not pay temporary cash assistance to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a family that includes an adult who has received more than 60 cumulative months of temporary cash assistance funded wholly or partly by federal funds; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a family that includes an adult who:</text> <level label="i"> <text>has received more than 24 cumulative months of temporary cash assistance funded wholly or partly by federal funds; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>is not participating in a work activity.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Secretary shall adopt regulations that establish:</text> <level label="1"> <text>standards and procedures under which a local department may exempt a family from the limitation under subsection (a)(1) of this section because of hardship; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a separate State program that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is funded entirely from State general funds that may be counted toward any federal maintenance of effort requirement;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>pays temporary cash assistance to a family that is exempted under item (1) of this subsection but cannot receive federal funds because of federal limitations; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>is subject to all FIP requirements under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The provisions of this section are subject to federal law and regulation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-314" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “addictions specialist” means an addictions specialist who is located on-site at a local department.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>An addictions specialist shall assess the need of any adult or minor parent applicant or recipient for substance abuse treatment:</text> <level label="i"> <text>at the initial application for temporary cash assistance; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>when considered appropriate by the FIP case manager of the local department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The addictions specialist shall screen the applicant or recipient to expose potential barriers that the applicant or recipient may have in obtaining employment such as a substance abuse problem.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The addictions specialist shall inform each adult or minor parent applicant or recipient of the requirements of FIP regarding substance abuse treatment.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If the applicant or recipient does not complete the screening required under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the addictions specialist shall notify the FIP case manager.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>If the screening performed by the addictions specialist reveals that an applicant or recipient has a substance abuse problem, the addictions specialist shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>conduct, or refer for, an assessment of the applicant’s or recipient’s substance abuse problem and, if appropriate, determine placement for treatment and related support services;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>refer the applicant or recipient for appropriate substance abuse treatment and related support services;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>obtain the signature of the applicant or recipient on a form consenting to the release of confidential substance abuse treatment information;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>forward the consent form to the appropriate substance abuse treatment provider; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>obtain any necessary treatment information from the substance abuse treatment provider.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The substance abuse treatment provider shall notify the addictions specialist of the ongoing treatment status of the applicant or recipient.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The addictions specialist shall notify the FIP case manager if an applicant or recipient:</text> <level label="1"> <text>fails to complete the assessment required under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>fails to sign the consent form required under paragraph (1)(iii) of this subsection;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>is referred for appropriate substance abuse treatment;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>is awaiting the availability of appropriate treatment;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>fails to enroll or maintain enrollment with an available substance treatment provider or to complete the treatment protocol;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>is enrolled in a treatment program; or</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>successfully completes treatment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The addictions specialist shall also notify the FIP case manager regarding the ongoing treatment status of the applicant or recipient.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An adult or minor parent applicant or recipient who complies with the substance abuse treatment requirements of the FIP:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall receive a full temporary cash assistance benefit as long as the applicant or recipient meets the other temporary cash assistance eligibility requirements; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may be exempt from the work activity requirements for a period of time determined by the FIP case manager in consultation with the addictions specialist.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>An adult or minor parent applicant or recipient is not in compliance with FIP requirements if the FIP case manager receives notice from the addictions specialist that the applicant or recipient:</text> <level label="1"> <text>fails to complete the screening or assessment required under subsections (b)(2) and (c)(1)(i) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>fails to sign the consent form required under subsection (c)(1)(iii) of this section; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>is referred for appropriate and available substance abuse treatment by the addictions specialist but fails to enroll or to maintain active enrollment in the treatment program or complete the treatment protocol.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>After the FIP case manager receives a notice under subsection (e) of this section, the local department shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>send a denial notice to the adult or minor parent applicant that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>states:</text> <level label="1"> <text>that the applicant has not met FIP requirements;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the specific reason why the applicant is not eligible for FIP; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>that if the applicant fails to fulfill the requirements on or before the 30th work day after the application for temporary cash assistance was filed, the application is denied; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>notifies the applicant of the applicant’s right to appeal and the procedures for filing an appeal; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>separately determine eligibility for medical assistance and food stamps.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>After the FIP case manager receives a notice under subsection (e) of this section, the local department shall send a notice to the adult or minor parent recipient that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>identifies the recipient who is not in compliance with FIP requirements;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>states the specific reason why that recipient is not in compliance with FIP requirements; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>states that 30 days after the date of the notice:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the temporary cash assistance benefits will be reduced by that increment in cash benefits attributable to the noncompliant recipient; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the remainder of the cash benefits for the child or children in the FIP case will be paid to a third party payee or a compliant adult recipient; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>notifies the recipient of the recipient’s right to appeal and the procedures for filing an appeal.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The local department shall reduce the temporary cash assistance benefits of an adult or minor parent recipient and pay the remainder of the cash benefits to a third party payee or a compliant adult recipient as described in subsection (g) of this section, if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the recipient fails to complete a substance use disorder screening or assessment by an addictions specialist, as required under subsections (b)(2) and (c)(1)(i) of this section; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the required screening and assessment or the results of any follow–up diagnostic testing or treatment reveal that the recipient has a substance use disorder and the recipient refuses to enroll or maintain enrollment in available and appropriate substance use disorder treatment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The local department shall continue to make temporary cash assistance benefits payments to a third party payee or a compliant adult recipient until the local department receives notice from the addictions specialist that the recipient is actively enrolled, as defined by the Department, in the appropriate substance use disorder treatment indicated by the addictions specialist.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>The local department may not deny an adult or minor parent applicant’s temporary cash assistance benefit or reduce an adult or minor parent recipient’s temporary cash assistance benefit as described under subsections (f) and (g) of this section, if the applicant or recipient:</text> <level label="1"> <text>receives the screening and assessment required under subsections (b)(2) and (c)(1)(i) of this section, and the screening and assessment or the results of any follow-up diagnostic testing or treatment reveal that the applicant or recipient is a substance abuser; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>agrees to participate in appropriate substance abuse treatment, as determined by the addictions specialist, but the appropriate substance abuse treatment is not available.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <text>The denial or reduction of temporary cash assistance under this section does not affect an adult or minor parent applicant or recipient’s eligibility for medical assistance and food stamps, as long as the applicant or recipient meets the medical assistance and food stamp program requirements.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-315" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <text>Subsections (b) and (c) of this section are not intended to create an incentive for individuals to seek temporary cash assistance benefits instead of employment.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In determining a family’s eligibility for the FIP, the local department shall exclude Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits provided to an adult or child family member.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except as limited by federal requirements, the level of temporary cash assistance, as determined by a local department, shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>be determined with due regard to the available resources, necessary expenditures, and specific conditions of a family; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>be sufficient, when added to all other income and support available to the child, to provide a child with a reasonable subsistence compatible with decency and health.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A recipient who obtains employment remains eligible for medical assistance for up to 12 months after the date of employment.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-316" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Governor shall provide sufficient funds in the budget to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>ensure that the value of temporary cash assistance, combined with federal food stamps, is equal to at least:</text> <level label="1"> <text>for fiscal year 2021, 61% of the State minimum living level; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year thereafter, 61.25% of the State minimum living level; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>maintain the FIP at the level of the fiscal year 1997 appropriation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The funds provided under this subsection may be less than the amount required under paragraph (1) of this subsection if the Governor reports to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the reasons for the reduced funding for temporary cash assistance and food stamps.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>This subsection does not limit the flexibility of local departments regarding the provision of services.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the Secretary determines during the fiscal year that the funds available for the FIP are insufficient to make payments in accordance with the amount of assistance otherwise established by law, the Secretary shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>provide for a uniform method of adjusting individual payments; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>submit emergency regulations, in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article, to implement the adjustment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Effective July 1 of each year, the Department shall make available for reallocation within its budget any savings the Department anticipates from funds appropriated for the FIP during the current fiscal year as a result of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>caseload reductions; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>other reductions in the total amount of temporary cash assistance paid to recipients compared to the total amount of temporary cash assistance appropriated.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (e)(1) of this section, savings made available for reallocation may be used for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>child care;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>work activities;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>welfare avoidance grants;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>drug treatment for targeted recipients;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>transportation;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>emergency funds for applicants and recipients;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>administration to the extent that additional administrative costs are required to effectively implement the FIP; or</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>any other direct service to applicants or recipients that the Secretary and the local department consider appropriate to further the purposes of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Savings shall be made available for reallocation as follows:</text> <level label="i"> <text>10% of the savings to the operating costs for one or more of the following:</text> <level label="1"> <text>demonstration projects established under § 5-317 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>second chance homes not subject to the restrictions of § 12 of Chapter 351 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 1996; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>demonstration projects to empirically evaluate strategies to reduce the incidence of nonmarital births in the State;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>45% of the savings to local departments, in accordance with the savings achieved by each local department, for the purposes authorized under subsection (d) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>45% of the savings for the purposes authorized under subsection (d) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Notwithstanding § 7-302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, any savings allocated under this subsection that remain unexpended at the end of a fiscal year may be carried over into the next fiscal year.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-317" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary shall establish demonstration projects through grants to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>nonprofit organizations;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>local education agencies;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>local management boards;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>local health departments;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>religious organizations; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>institutions of higher education.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The entities listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall jointly develop proposals for demonstration projects under this section with local departments.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>At least one of the demonstration projects under this section shall be located in a county other than the two counties with the largest numbers of FIP recipients.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary shall award grants for demonstration projects under this section through a competitive bid process that includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the issuance of a request for proposals; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the establishment of an evaluation panel to review competing proposals and to make a recommendation to the Secretary concerning which proposals have the greatest programmatic and financial merit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Not more than 50% of the funds allocated for demonstration projects under this section may be allocated to a single demonstration project.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The funds allocated for demonstration projects under this section are incentive funds over and above any transfer of FIP benefits to a third party payee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Funds allocable to demonstration projects under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall, if feasible, be used for demonstration projects in the counties that generated the savings reallocated to demonstration projects under § 5-316(e) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>When awarding grants under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority in funding for at least 20% of the funds allocated to demonstration projects under this section to regional proposals from two or more counties in the State.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Funds allocated to demonstration projects under this section may not be used in the furtherance of sectarian religious instruction or worship.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In the request for proposals issued under subsection (b)(1)(i) of this section, the Secretary shall include requirements that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>applicants specify what goods or services, or both, they will provide to participants; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>each demonstration project:</text> <level label="i"> <text>complement the local department FIP Plan; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>address specific, unmet local needs and barriers that prevent families from meeting the requirements of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>In addition to the demonstration projects funded under subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall encourage and facilitate demonstration projects that are supported through:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the voluntary transfer of temporary cash assistance and food stamp benefits to the demonstration project;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the transfer of administrative costs from the local department; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>any nonstate funds available to the project.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-318" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Children of current or former recipients” has the meaning stated in § 5–304 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Former recipient” has the meaning stated in § 5–304 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Foster youth” has the meaning stated in § 5–304 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Obligor” has the meaning stated in § 10–101 of the Family Law Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>In cooperation with the local directors, the Secretary shall establish a job skills enhancement program to provide newly employed current and former recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors with training to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>enhance existing job–related skills;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>gain additional or alternative job skills; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>learn interpersonal, communication, and other related skills.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The job skills enhancement program shall be established in at least three counties, one of which shall be located in Western Maryland, Southern Maryland, or the Eastern Shore.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The job skills enhancement program shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>target unskilled and semiskilled former and current recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors who are newly employed in entry–level positions that have limited potential for advancement beyond entry–level; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>target job training for former and current recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors for employment in energy and environmental industries and construction, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the energy–efficient building, construction, and retrofits industries;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the renewable electric power industry;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the energy efficient and advanced drive train vehicle industry;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the biofuels industry;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>the deconstruction and materials use industries;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>the energy assessment industry serving the residential, commercial, or industrial sector;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>the manufacturing industry that produces sustainable products using environmentally sustainable processes and materials;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>the brownfields remediation industry;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>the state of the art septic upgrades and sewage treatment industry;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>environmental restoration, including stream restoration, reforestation, invasive removal, and acid mine drainage;</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>state of the art storm water installation and retrofits;</text> </level> <level label="xii"> <text>agriculture conservation practices;</text> </level> <level label="xiii"> <text>the green roof industry and green roof maintenance industry; and</text> </level> <level label="xiv"> <text>sustainable landscaping.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Participation in the job skills enhancement program shall be voluntary.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Individuals participating in the job skills enhancement program shall sign a training agreement with the local department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>To be eligible to participate in the job skills enhancement program, an individual shall:</text> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>have been a recipient during the 36 months before beginning participation in the job skills enhancement program; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>be a former recipient, a child of a current or former recipient, a foster youth, or obligor;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>have been employed in entry–level employment for at least 6 months before beginning participation in the job skills enhancement program;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>provide employer validation or other documentation of employment status;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>have limited job skills; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>have limited opportunity for advancement in the individual’s current employment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The local department shall contract for training services to be provided under the job skills enhancement program, as provided in § 5–306 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The local department may work with businesses to train and place current and former recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors in positions that meet the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Participating businesses shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>provide employment with benefits paid to employees;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>provide employment that has a defined career path;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>demonstrate the active involvement and financial commitment of the business; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>provide a match with cash or in–kind contributions on at least a one–to–one basis.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>At the discretion of the Secretary and in consultation with the local director, the job skills enhancement program shall be administered by the local department or through the State workforce development area system under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Administrator of the program under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>manage each participant’s training plan;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>maintain a database of appropriate training vendors; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>compile necessary fiscal reports on the job skills enhancement program.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>In addition to any other funds available to fund the job skills enhancement program, the Secretary shall attempt to access funds available to the State under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and any other funds designed to reduce energy use and global warming emissions that would be available for job training in the industries listed under subsection (c)(2) of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-319" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “demonstration site” means a site that the Secretary selects in consultation with the local director.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Secretary may establish a FIP demonstration site in not more than six jurisdictions.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Notwithstanding any other law, the local director shall appoint a director of the FIP established in a demonstration site who shall report directly to the local director.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Notwithstanding any other law, the Secretary has sole authority to approve demonstration site plans that will govern FIP functions in a demonstration site, including the authority to approve demonstration site plans that will:</text> <level label="1"> <text>assist families that have an employable parent toward a lasting exit from temporary cash assistance;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>ensure that individuals and families receive appropriate benefits;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>reduce errors in the administration of FIP;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>place temporary cash assistance recipients in employment in which their earnings will likely increase; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>improve the types of employment and employment retention rates of existing and former recipients.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The local director shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>develop a demonstration site plan for submittal to the Secretary for approval that will detail its:</text> <level label="i"> <text>programmatic structure, including any programmatic changes;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>organizational structure, including any organizational changes;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>pay incentive structure and criteria for the award of pay incentives;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>measurable performance criteria and how these relate to the incentive structure; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>target performance criteria;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>implement the plan as approved; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>report to the Department on the progress achieved in the demonstration site.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The proper operation of the demonstration site and the achievement of the target performance criteria shall be an element of the local director’s performance evaluation.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Secretary shall establish a performance incentive program to provide pay incentives for employees in a demonstration site.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The Secretary’s powers under this section shall be construed liberally.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-320" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <text>In cooperation with local directors, the Secretary shall establish a mentoring program for former recipients.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The mentoring program may include FIP caseworkers in local departments who volunteer to be mentors.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department may contract with other entities under § 5-306 of this subtitle to acquire mentors for former recipients.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Mentoring may include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>providing assistance to resolve workplace problems;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>providing workplace adjustment assistance;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>job coaching;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>providing assistance to develop life skills;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>counseling and tutoring; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>any other activities that will help former recipients through the first months that they no longer receive temporary cash assistance.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>To be eligible to participate in the mentoring program, an individual shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>have been a recipient in the previous 6 months;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>have been employed; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>have a demonstrated need and desire for assistance in acquiring and maintaining the skills necessary for a lasting exit from temporary cash assistance.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Program participation may not exceed 6 months.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Secretary may arrange to provide pay or other types of incentives to employees who volunteer to mentor former recipients.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Secretary’s powers under this section shall be construed liberally.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-321" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <text>Any assistance granted under this subtitle is subject to future amendment or repeal of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A recipient is not entitled to compensation if the recipient’s assistance is affected by amendment or repeal of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-322" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <text>On or before October 1 each year, the Department shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the following information:</text> <level label="1"> <text>for the preceding year:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the number of recipients who engaged in vocational education or education directly related to employment;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the number of recipients who completed vocational education or education directly related to employment;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the number of recipients who obtained or maintained employment for 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months after completing vocational education or education directly related to employment; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the average earnings of recipients who obtained or maintained employment for 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months after completing vocational education or education directly related to employment; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for the preceding fiscal year, the following information on work experience and community service work activity placements:</text> <level label="i"> <text>information on the work sites and the public, private, and nonprofit organizations that have engaged temporary cash assistance recipients in work experience and community service, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a list, organized by county, of all work sites in the State, including units of State, federal, and local government that have engaged temporary cash assistance recipients in work experience;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for each work site:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>the total number of work experience placements for the year;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>the position, job duties, number of hours, and market salary rate for the job being performed by the temporary cash assistance recipients engaged in work experience; and</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>the number of temporary cash assistance recipients engaged in work experience who were hired by the work site for unsubsidized employment; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a list, organized by county, of all public and nonprofit organizations in the State that have engaged temporary cash assistance recipients in community service;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>information, organized by the number, jurisdiction, race, ethnicity, age, and gender of individuals who participated in work experience and community service; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>information on the employment outcomes of individuals who participated in work experience, including the number of individuals in work experience who were provided direct entry into a full–time job with a wage that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>equals or exceeds the State minimum wage;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>equals or exceeds 150% of the State minimum wage; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>equals or exceeds 200% of the State minimum wage.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The information in the report required under subsection (a)(1) of this section shall be broken down by the types of vocational education or education programs in which the recipients engaged, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>associate degree programs;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>vocational education programs that do not lead to an associate degree;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>postsecondary education programs that are not included in item (1) or (2) of this subsection;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>adult basic education programs;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>English as a second language programs; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>GED programs.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-323" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Family Investment Program"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department shall hire an outside consultant to conduct a review of FIP to assess the extent to which FIP is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>implementing policies equitably; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>employing best practices to achieve the best outcomes possible for children and their parents, including by considering that many FIP recipients are experiencing or have experienced significant trauma.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The consultant hired under this section shall demonstrate knowledge of the federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families programs.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>At a minimum, the review conducted under this section should include an assessment of the following:</text> <level label="1"> <text>program design, including core beliefs, goals, objectives, service delivery model, regulations, program rules, and performance measures;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>contract design and execution, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>payment structure;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>incentives; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>service delivery approach and performance with a focus on placement in high–quality jobs with wages that meet or exceed 150% of the State minimum wage;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>program outcomes that, to the extent practicable, are disaggregated by race and ethnicity;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>an examination of how the State’s use of unpaid work experience compares to other states and alternative program options;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>documentation of innovative and evidence–based practices being implemented in other states; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>all assessment tools used by the Department under § 5–309(a)(1) of this subtitle with a focus on recommending changes needed for the assessment to be conducted in a manner that is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>trauma–informed;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>antiracist; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>individualized, empowering, and client–centered.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>To receive meaningful input on FIP in accordance with the review conducted under this section, including recommendations on methods to strengthen FIP, the Department shall consult:</text> <level label="1"> <text>stakeholders, including current and former recipients;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>community–based organizations; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>other interested parties.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The review conducted under this section shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>include a summary of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the strengths and weaknesses of FIP;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>recommendations for improving FIP; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>any necessary legislative or administrative changes to make the improvements; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>on or before October 1, 2024, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, be submitted to the General Assembly; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>be published on the Department’s website.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Until the Department has fully implemented, to the extent practicable, the recommendations of the final review submitted under subsection (e) of this section, beginning in calendar year 2024 and each year thereafter, the Department shall report, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Appropriations Committee on the plans and progress for implementing the recommendations made in the review.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-401" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="State Public Assistance Programs"> <level label="a"> <text>In this part the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Applicant” means an individual who applies for assistance under this part.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Assistance” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>cash payments to a recipient; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>payments necessary for supplementary services for a recipient, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the recipient’s funeral expenses as provided in § 5-415 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>placement of the recipient in a suitable home or institution if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the recipient lacks a legal guardian or other person legally responsible for the recipient’s support; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the recipient consents.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Program” means the Public Assistance to Adults Program.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Recipient” means an individual who receives, or has received, assistance under this part.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-402" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="State Public Assistance Programs"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a State funded Public Assistance to Adults Program in the Administration.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Program shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in effect in each county; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>administered by the local departments in accordance with regulations that the Administration adopts.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-403" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="State Public Assistance Programs"> <level label="a"> <text>A resident of the State is eligible for assistance under this part if the resident:</text> <level label="1"> <text>lacks sufficient income or benefits to maintain a reasonable subsistence compatible with decency and health; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>is eligible for or receives cash benefits under Title XVI of the federal Social Security Act; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>is aged, blind, or disabled as defined under Title XVI of the federal Social Security Act and, but for income, would receive cash benefits under that title.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An applicant may not assign or transfer property to establish eligibility for assistance under this part during the 3 years before:</text> <level label="1"> <text>filing an application for assistance; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>receiving assistance.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-404" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="State Public Assistance Programs"> <level label="a"> <text>An application for assistance under this part shall be made:</text> <level label="1"> <text>to the local department of the county where the applicant resides; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in the form and manner that the Administration requires.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Whenever a local department receives an application for assistance under this part, the local department shall make a record of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the circumstances of the applicant;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the facts supporting the application; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>any other information that the Administration requires by regulation.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-405" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="State Public Assistance Programs"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The local department shall determine an amount of assistance that is sufficient, when added to all other income and support available to a recipient, to provide the recipient with a reasonable subsistence compatible with decency and health.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In determining the amount of assistance, the local department shall consider the recipient’s available resources and necessary expenditures and the conditions existing for the recipient.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In determining the amount of assistance, the local department shall consider support from children as a potential resource and evaluate the amount of the support and its availability to the recipient, in accordance with regulations that the Administration adopts.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-406" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="State Public Assistance Programs"> <level label="a"> <text>The local department shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>determine:</text> <level label="i"> <text>whether an applicant is eligible for assistance under this part; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>in accordance with regulations that the Administration adopts, the amount of the assistance and the date on which the assistance will begin; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>notify the applicant of its decision.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Assistance shall be paid to the applicant monthly or as the Administration otherwise determines.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the funds available are insufficient to make payments in accordance with the amount of assistance established to be needed, the Administration shall adopt regulations to provide for a uniform method of adjusting individual payments.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-407" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="State Public Assistance Programs"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Assistance granted under this part may not be transferred or assigned.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Assistance paid or payable under this part is not subject to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>execution;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>levy;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>attachment;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>garnishment;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>other legal process; or</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>the operation of any bankruptcy or insolvency law.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The local department shall reconsider all assistance granted under this part as frequently as the regulations of the Administration require.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The amount of assistance may be changed or assistance may be canceled if, after any further investigation the local department considers necessary or the Administration requires, the local department or the Administration finds that the recipient’s circumstances have altered sufficiently to warrant the change or cancellation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A recipient shall notify the local department immediately if, while receiving assistance, the recipient receives property or income in excess of the amount stated in the application for assistance.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>After an investigation, depending on the circumstances, the local department may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>cancel the assistance; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>change the amount of assistance.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Assistance paid before the recipient received the property or income that exceeds the recipient’s need may be recovered by the local department as a debt due.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The net amount recovered shall be divided between the State and county in proportion to the amount of assistance paid by each.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>When a recipient dies:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the total amount of assistance paid under this part shall be allowed as a claim against the estate; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the net amount recovered shall be divided between the State and county in proportion to the amount of assistance paid by each.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The claim may not be enforced against real estate occupied by the recipient’s surviving spouse or dependents.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-408" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="State Public Assistance Programs"> <level label="a"> <text>An applicant or recipient may appeal to the Administration if the local department:</text> <level label="1"> <text>does not act on an application within a reasonable time;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>denies an application wholly or partly; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>modifies or cancels a grant of assistance.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The appeal shall be filed in the manner and form that the Administration requires.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Administration shall give the applicant or recipient reasonable notice and an opportunity for a hearing on the appeal.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>On its own motion, the Administration may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>review any decision of a local department; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>consider an application on which the local department has not made a decision within a reasonable time.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Administration:</text> <level label="i"> <text>may make any additional investigation it considers necessary; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>shall make any decision on the granting of assistance and the amount of assistance it considers justified in accordance with this part.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On request, the Administration shall give an applicant or recipient affected by a decision made under paragraph (2) of this subsection reasonable notice and an opportunity for a hearing.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A decision of the Administration under this section is final and binding on the local department.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The local department shall comply with a decision of the Administration under this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-409" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="State Public Assistance Programs"> <text>The Administration shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>supervise the administration of the Program under this part by the local departments;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>adopt regulations necessary or desirable to carry out this part, including regulations to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>establish eligibility requirements and any other requirements not set forth in this part; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>establish standards for the amount of assistance a recipient may receive under this part;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>prescribe the form of and supply to the local departments any forms the Administration considers necessary and desirable; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>take any other action necessary or desirable to carry out this part.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-410" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="State Public Assistance Programs"> <text>Each local department shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>administer this part in its county in accordance with the regulations the Administration adopts; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>report to the Administration as the Administration directs.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-411" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="State Public Assistance Programs"> <level label="a"> <text>Except in connection with a criminal proceeding brought under this part, a person may not charge or receive a fee from an applicant, recipient, or any other person:</text> <level label="1"> <text>with respect to an application under this part; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>to represent an applicant or recipient in any proceeding under this part.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-412" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="State Public Assistance Programs"> <level label="a"> <text>Any assistance granted under this part is subject to future repeal or amendment of this part.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A recipient is not entitled to compensation if the recipient’s assistance is affected by repeal or amendment of this part.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-415" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="State Public Assistance Programs"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A local department may pay the reasonable funeral expenses of a decedent who was a:</text> <level label="i"> <text>recipient of public assistance, including temporary cash assistance or public assistance to adults; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>State resident receiving Supplemental Security Income under Title XVI of the Social Security Act.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The funeral expenses paid by the local department may not exceed $900.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A local department may not pay funeral expenses under this section unless:</text> <level label="1"> <text>each person legally responsible for the support of the decedent is unable to pay the expenses; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>other resources, including available death benefits of the estate, are insufficient to pay the expenses.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Payments provided in accordance with this section shall be charged to State funds.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-501" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Food Stamps"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department may implement a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in accordance with the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a Restaurant Meals Program in accordance with § 5–505 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a Heat and Eat Program in accordance with § 5–506 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The State shall bear the nonfederal portion of the administrative costs of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for each county.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Each local department shall administer the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program:</text> <level label="1"> <text>under the supervision and control of the Department; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in accordance with the regulations of the Department and federal law.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If a household includes an individual who is at least 60 years old and receives a federally funded benefit in an amount less than $50 per month under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the State shall provide a supplement to increase the total benefit to $50 per month.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-501.1" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Food Stamps"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “child” means an individual who is under the age of 19 years at any time during a calendar year.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to subsections (e) and (f) of this section, if a household includes an individual who receives a federally funded benefit under the food supplement program, the State shall provide matching funds to a county to supplement benefits received under § 5–501 of this subtitle for each child in the household.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For each child in the household, the combined State and county supplement under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall equal at least:</text> <level label="i"> <text>$30 per month in the months of June, July, and August; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>$10 in the month of December.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A supplement provided under subsection (b)(2)(i) of this section shall be added to the household food supplement program benefit account in June, July, and August.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A supplement provided under subsection (b)(2)(ii) of this section shall be added to the household food supplement program benefit account in December.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A household may not receive more than one supplement per child under subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>To receive funding in the following fiscal year for the supplements under subsection (b) of this section, a county shall submit an application to the Department on or before the date established by the Department.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The application shall include the following information:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the number of program participants to be served;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the county’s commitment to conducting an evaluation to assess the effectiveness of the program;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>certification of the availability of local share funds; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>any other relevant information required by the Department.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>On or before the date established by the Department, the Department shall notify each county that submitted a complete application of the amount of funding available in the next fiscal year for supplements under subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Receipt of available funding under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph is contingent on approval by the Department of a county’s final plan submitted in accordance with paragraph (3) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On or before the date established by the Department, a county that is notified of available funding shall submit a final plan to the Department that includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a communication plan, coordinated with the Department, to inform eligible families of the food supplement program and the supplements available under this section;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if funding is not sufficient to provide a minimum supplement of $100 to all children in the county receiving food supplement program benefits in the fiscal year, a designation of which children will be eligible to receive the supplements under this section;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the criteria used to determine eligibility under item (ii) of this paragraph; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>an evaluation plan to measure:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the impact of the supplements on recipients;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>food supplement program participation; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>any other relevant information required by the Department.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>The Department shall review a final plan submitted under paragraph (3) of this subsection and approve or reject the final plan.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Department shall notify a county of its decision under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph on or before April 1.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>If the Department rejects a county’s final plan, the county may submit a revised final plan for approval on or before April 15.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>If the Department approves a county’s final plan, the Department shall certify the amount of funding that will be provided for the county in the following fiscal year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Each county with an approved final plan shall be awarded funding in accordance with subsection (f) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>The State and local shares of funding required for a county with an approved final plan shall be equal to the State and local share percentages established by the State and local cost–share formula for that county required under § 5–303(d)(3)(i) of the Education Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, in each fiscal year, the Department shall provide the State share of funds for each county with an approved final plan for the fiscal year in an amount equal to the product of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the total amount of funds appropriated under subsection (g) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the number of children in households that receive a federal benefit under the food supplement program in the county, divided by the total number of children in households that receive a federal benefit under the food supplement program in all counties with an approved final plan.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The amount of funds provided to a county under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph may not be greater than the State share amount that corresponds to the maximum available local share funds certified under subsection (e)(1)(ii)3 of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>A county may provide funding in addition to the funding required under paragraph (1) of this subsection to increase the number of supplements provided in the county.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Funding provided by a county under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph may not affect the amount of funding the Department is required to provide under paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>Subject to the State budget, the Department may use the funding the State is required to provide under subsection (b)(1) of this section to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>provide funds to a county to supplement benefits; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>offset administrative costs of the federal Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-502" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Food Stamps"> <text>Except as provided in § 5-503 of this subtitle, if any provision of this subtitle conflicts with any federal law, the federal law shall prevail.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-503" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Food Stamps"> <text>Subject to the State budget, the Department shall provide food supplement benefits to a legal immigrant who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is a minor;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is ineligible for federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits because of immigration status;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>meets all other Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility requirements; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>meets any other requirements of the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-504" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Food Stamps"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not sell or purchase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits unless otherwise authorized by law.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not knowingly buy or sell merchandise that has been purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the value of the money or goods involved is $1,000 or more, a person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>shall make full restitution of the money or goods unlawfully received or perform community service, as determined by the court.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If the value of the money or goods involved is less than $1,000, a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>shall make full restitution of the money or goods unlawfully received or perform community service, as determined by the court.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-505" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Food Stamps"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “RMP” means the Restaurant Meals Program.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>There is a Restaurant Meals Program within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The purpose of the RMP is to expand food access to individuals who:</text> <level label="i"> <text>do not have a place to store and cook food;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>may not be able to prepare food; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>do not have access to a grocery store.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A household eligible under subsection (d) of this section to participate in the RMP may purchase hot prepared foods at participating restaurants using a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A household is eligible to participate in the RMP if the household is eligible to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits under State and federal law, and the household:</text> <level label="1"> <text>lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>includes only individuals who are:</text> <level label="i"> <text>60 years of age or older; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>designated disabled by a government entity;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>includes only an individual and the individual’s spouse if the individual is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>60 years of age or older; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>designated disabled by a government entity; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>includes only:</text> <level label="i"> <text>individuals who are 60 years of age or older; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>individuals who are designated disabled by a government entity.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Before participating in the RMP, a restaurant shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>submit an application and be approved under a process determined by the Department;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>become a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provider licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>be able to process electronic benefit transaction card payments at the point of sale.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>Each local department shall administer the RMP as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program authorized under § 5–501 of this subtitle, in accordance with federal law.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department shall adopt regulations:</text> <level label="i"> <text>to verify household eligibility for participation in the RMP;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>to establish eligibility standards, an application process, and an approval process for restaurants to participate in the RMP; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>otherwise necessary to carry out this section.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-506" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Food Stamps"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “standard utility allowance” means a Maryland Energy Assistance Program payment to a household that is at least $21 per year.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>There is a Heat and Eat Program within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The purpose of the Heat and Eat Program is to expand food access to households that are receiving or eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A household is eligible to participate in the Heat and Eat Program if the household is eligible to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits under State and federal law.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In determining the eligibility of a household to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, the Department shall apply a standard utility allowance to the shelter deduction that is used for the purpose of determining countable gross income for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Department shall adopt regulations:</text> <level label="1"> <text>to verify household eligibility for participation in the Heat and Eat Program; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>otherwise necessary to carry out this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5A-01" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5A" subtitle_name="Energy Assistance Program"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Commission” means the Public Service Commission.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Energy emergency” means a lack of fuel or the imminent discontinuation of energy services supplied by a fuel vendor or utility vendor that will endanger health, safety, or welfare.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Fuel vendor” means a person that distributes, transports, produces, or offers for sale coal products, fuel oil, kerosene, bottled gas, propane, or wood for fuel use or consumption in the State.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Office” means the Office of Home Energy Programs.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Program” means the Energy Assistance Program.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Utility vendor” means a person that distributes, transports, or produces natural gas or electricity for use or consumption in the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5A-02" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5A" subtitle_name="Energy Assistance Program"> <text>There is an Office of Home Energy Programs in the Administration.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5A-03" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5A" subtitle_name="Energy Assistance Program"> <text>The purpose of the Office is to carry out this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5A-04" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5A" subtitle_name="Energy Assistance Program"> <level label="a"> <text>The Office may employ a staff.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as otherwise provided by law, the employees of the Office are subject to the State Personnel and Pensions Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5A-05" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5A" subtitle_name="Energy Assistance Program"> <text>The Office exercises its authority, duties, and functions under any State law subject to the authority of the Secretary under any State law.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5A-06" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5A" subtitle_name="Energy Assistance Program"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Office shall maintain liaison with:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the United States Department of Health and Human Services;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>local government units concerned with energy programs;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>citizens’ groups;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>utility vendors and major fuel vendors in the State; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>any other state, federal, and local units.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Office shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>consult with and advise the local entities described in paragraph (1) of this subsection regarding their energy assistance programs;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>work at all levels of government to carry out this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>consult with all utility vendors and major fuel vendors in the State when developing and implementing the Program.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Office shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>collect and assemble information relating to energy assistance available from other units of the State and federal governments;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>disseminate information to further energy assistance;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>identify all utility vendors and major fuel vendors in the State and attempt to obtain their voluntary cooperation with the Program;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>establish and maintain a State information service that utilizes a toll–free telephone number to provide the public with information about the Program and the location of the nearest local energy assistance office; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>establish a mechanism for monitoring the effectiveness of the Program to determine whether eligible households are aware of and have access to a local energy assistance office.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Consistent with this subtitle and other applicable laws, the Office may enter into contracts or assume any other function necessary to carry out this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Office may enter into contracts for any study or research activity that is necessary and proper.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5A-07" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5A" subtitle_name="Energy Assistance Program"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Office shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>carry out an energy emergency crisis intervention program to prevent low–income households, including the near poor, the elderly, households with children, and those on fixed incomes from experiencing danger to health or survival as a result of an energy emergency;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>establish intake procedures for those experiencing an energy emergency;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>establish guidelines for the income and program eligibility of applicants; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>identify local public or private agencies to administer the crisis intervention program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Office shall make payments to fuel vendors and utility vendors that have provided service to persons qualifying for the crisis intervention program.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The amount of assistance shall be based on need.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Office shall carry out one or more fuel and utility assistance programs to make payments on behalf of qualified households to defray fuel and utility costs.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Office shall determine program and income eligibility guidelines.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Office shall enroll in any fuel and utility assistance program any household with an individual who meets the financial eligibility requirements established by the Department for a recipient of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Temporary Assistance for Needy Families;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Supplemental Security Income; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>means–tested Veterans Affairs benefits.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The amount of assistance shall be based on need.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5A-08" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5A" subtitle_name="Energy Assistance Program"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>There is an electric universal service program in the Office.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Office shall implement and administer the electric universal service program.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The purpose of the electric universal service program is to assist electric customers with annual incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The components of the electric universal service program shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>bill assistance;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>low–income residential weatherization; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the retirement of arrearages for electric customers who have not received assistance in retiring arrearages under the electric universal service program within the preceding 5 fiscal years.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Department of Housing and Community Development is responsible for administering the low–income residential weatherization component of the electric universal service program.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>The Office may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>establish minimum and maximum benefits available to an electric customer under the bill assistance and arrearage retirement components; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>coordinate benefits under the electric universal service program with benefits under the Maryland Energy Assistance Program and other available energy assistance programs.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Beginning January 1, 2027, the Office shall authorize benefits under the electric universal service program for an electric customer who meets the eligibility requirements for the program but who does not meet the eligibility requirements for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Office shall adopt regulations governing eligibility for benefits under the electric universal service program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Office may, with input from a panel or roundtable of interested parties, contract to assist in administering the bill assistance and the arrearage retirement components of the electric universal service program.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The Commission has oversight responsibility for the bill assistance and the arrearage retirement components of the electric universal service program and any other funds expended under this section.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>In a specific case, the electric universal service program may waive the income eligibility limitation under paragraph (1) of this subsection in order to provide assistance to an electric customer who would qualify for a similar waiver under another program established under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <level label="i"> <text>If an applicant for bill assistance or arrearage retirement is to be denied due to deficient documentation, the Office shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>promptly provide notice of the deficiency to the applicant; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>afford the applicant ample opportunity of not less than 3 months to cure the deficiency.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An electric company may not begin the process to terminate service to an applicant while the applicant is curing a deficiency under this paragraph.</text> </level> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Notwithstanding paragraph (2)(iii) of this subsection, any assistance received for arrearage retirement by a customer in calendar years 2020 and 2021 may not be counted toward the limitation on the number of times the customer may receive assistance for arrearage retirement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>All customers shall contribute to the funding of the electric universal service program through a charge collected by each electric company.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Commission shall determine a fair and equitable allocation for collecting the charges among all customer classes pursuant to subsection (e) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, in accordance with subsection (f)(6) of this section, any unexpended bill assistance and arrearage retirement funds returned to customers under subsection (f) of this section shall be returned to each customer class as a credit in the same proportion that the customer class contributed charges to the fund.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Department shall expend any unexpended bill assistance and arrearage funds that were collected in fiscal years 2010 through 2017, in excess of the total amount authorized under subsection (e) of this section, for one or more of the following purposes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>bill assistance and the retirement of arrearages for customers who are eligible to receive assistance at the time services are provided;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>targeted and enhanced low–income residential weatherization designed to remediate households that are considered ineligible to participate in other State energy efficiency programs due to significant health and safety hazards;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>an arrearage management program for low–income customers in arrears, including providing credits or matching payments for customers who make timely payments on current bills; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>an arrearage prevention program for low–income customers.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>An electric company shall recover electric universal service program costs in accordance with § 7–512 of the Public Utilities Article.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>As determined by the Office, bill assistance payments to an electric company may be on a monthly basis for each customer.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>The Commission shall determine the allocation of the electric universal service charge among the generation, transmission, and distribution rate components of all classes.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>The Commission may not assess the electric universal service surcharge on a per kilowatt–hour basis.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before January 1 of each year, the Commission shall report, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly on the electric universal service program, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>subject to subsection (e) of this section, a recommendation on the total amount of funds for the electric universal service program for the following fiscal year based on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the level of participation in and the amounts expended on bill assistance and arrearage retirement during the preceding fiscal year;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>how bill assistance and arrearage retirement payments were calculated during the preceding fiscal year;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the projected needs for the bill assistance and the arrearage retirement components for the next fiscal year; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the amount of any bill assistance or arrearage retirement surplus carried over in the electric universal service program fund under subsection (f)(6)(i) of this section;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>for bill assistance, the total amount of need, as determined by the Commission, for electric customers with annual incomes at or below 175% of the federal poverty level and the basis for this determination;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the amount of funds needed, as determined by the Commission, to retire arrearages for electric customers who have not received assistance in retiring arrearages under the electric universal service program within the preceding 7 fiscal years, and the basis for this determination;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the amount of funds needed, as determined by the Commission, for bill assistance and arrearage retirement, respectively, for customers for whom income limitations may be waived under subsection (a)(7) of this section, and the basis for each determination;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>the impact on customers’ rates, including the allocation among customer classes, from collecting the total amount recommended by the Commission under item (i) of this paragraph; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>the impact of using other federal poverty level benchmarks on costs and the effectiveness of the electric universal service program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>To assist the Commission in preparing its recommendations under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Office shall report to the Commission each year on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the number of customers and the amount of distributions made to fuel customers under the Maryland Energy Assistance Program established under this subtitle, identified by funding source and fuel source;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the cost of outreach and education materials provided by the Office for the electric universal service program; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the amount of money that the Department receives, and is projected to receive, for low–income energy assistance from:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund under § 9–20B–05 of the State Government Article;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>with respect to electric customers only, the Maryland Energy Assistance Program; and</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>any other federal, State, local, or private source.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Office may satisfy the reporting requirement of subparagraph (i)1 of this paragraph by providing the Commission with a copy of material that contains the required information and that the Office submits to the federal government.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Commission shall include the information provided by the Office under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph in its report to the General Assembly under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Subject to subsection (d)(2) of this section, the Commission shall include the information provided by the Department of Housing and Community Development under subsection (d)(1) of this section in its report to the General Assembly under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The electric universal service program shall be subject to audit by the Office of Legislative Audits in accordance with §§ 2–1220 through 2–1227 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before January 1 of each year, the Department of Housing and Community Development shall report, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly on the low–income residential weatherization component of the electric universal service program, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the amount of funds expended during the preceding fiscal year;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the level of participation during the preceding fiscal year, including the number of households served in each area of the State; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the types of projects, including the average cost per unit, provided to households during the preceding fiscal year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department of Housing and Community Development may satisfy the reporting requirement under paragraph (1) of this subsection by requesting the Commission to include the information in the Commission’s report required under subsection (c) of this section and providing the information to the Commission by the date specified by the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The total amount of funds to be collected for the electric universal service program each year shall be $37 million, allocated in the following manner:</text> <level label="1"> <text>$27.4 million shall be collected from the industrial and commercial classes; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>$9.6 million shall be collected from the residential class.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subsection, “fund” means the electric universal service program fund.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>There is an electric universal service program fund.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>The Comptroller shall collect the revenue collected by electric companies under subsection (b) of this section and place the revenue into the fund.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The General Assembly may appropriate funds supplemental to the funds collected under subsubparagraph 1 of this subparagraph.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The fund is a continuing, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The purpose of the fund is to assist electric customers as provided in subsection (a)(1) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Department, with oversight by the Commission, shall disburse the bill assistance and arrearage retirement funds in accordance with the provisions of this section.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Comptroller annually shall disburse up to $1,000,000 of low–income residential weatherization funds to the Department of Housing and Community Development, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <level label="i"> <text>At the end of a given fiscal year, any unexpended bill assistance and arrearage retirement funds that were collected for that fiscal year shall be retained in the fund and shall be made available for disbursement through the first 6 months of the next fiscal year to customers who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>qualify for assistance from the fund during the given fiscal year;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>apply for assistance from the fund before the end of the given fiscal year; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>remain eligible for assistance at the time services are provided.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the Commission determines that an extension is needed, the Commission may extend up to an additional 6 months the period in which unexpended bill assistance and arrearage retirement funds may be made available for disbursement under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <level label="1"> <text>Any bill assistance and arrearage retirement funds collected for a given fiscal year that are retained under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph and that remain unexpended at the end of the period allowed under subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph shall be returned to each customer class in the proportion that the customer class contributed charges to the fund for the given fiscal year in the form of a credit toward the charge assessed in the following fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Commission determines that it is impractical to establish a rate credit for the amount to be returned for a given fiscal year to customers under subsubparagraph 1 of this subparagraph, the Commission:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>may defer the return for not more than 2 additional fiscal years; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>shall combine the returned amount for that fiscal year with amounts to be returned for the following fiscal years when calculating the rate credit for the final fiscal year of the period.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>If a party to a merger or acquisition of an electric company or an affiliate of an electric company is required to distribute a credit to the customers in the electric company’s service territory under an agreement with the Commission in connection with the merger or acquisition, the Commission shall consider the adequacy of the current funding of the electric universal service program in providing assistance to customers who qualify under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any funds deposited into the electric universal service program fund as a result of an agreement with the Commission in connection with a merger or acquisition of an electric company or an affiliate of an electric company are in addition to, and may not substitute for, funds collected under subsection (e) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>An arrearage prevention program under subsection (b)(4)(iv) of this section is intended to prevent or reduce arrearages for low–income customers who have participated in a low–income residential weatherization program.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The arrearage prevention program is intended as a one–time grant of money to establish ongoing arrearage prevention activities in the State.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Department, in consultation with the Commission, will select for the arrearage prevention program up to two public or private entities as program recipients to administer the program.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>At least one arrearage prevention program recipient must primarily serve customers in a major urban area of the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An arrearage prevention program recipient must demonstrate significant efforts to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>secure additional private investment in rooftop solar installation, including the use of arrearage prevention program money for credit enhancement, direct project support, or support for program recipients and customers; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>provide employment in solar installation to unemployed and underemployed individuals, with preference for those who reside in the local jurisdiction where the installations will occur.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The arrearage prevention program may include the installation of rooftop solar electricity generation equipment after energy efficiency measures at the residential property have been completed.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5A-09" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5A" subtitle_name="Energy Assistance Program"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“CMN Program” means the Critical Medical Needs Program established under this section.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Critical medically vulnerable individual” means an individual who:</text> <level label="i"> <text>has a severe health condition that will be aggravated due to the termination or noncontinuation of electric or gas service or needs the use of life–support equipment as documented and certified in accordance with regulations on a certification of serious illness or life support form submitted to the appropriate electric or gas company;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>has or will have their electric or gas service terminated for nonpayment; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>is unable to complete the energy assistance applications under available energy assistance programs, including energy efficiency programs offered by the Department of Housing and Community Development.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Navigator” means a representative from a medical facility or from a public or private assistance agency or organization who:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is in personal contact with a critical medically vulnerable individual; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>assists the critical medically vulnerable individual in the energy assistance application process.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>There is a CMN Program in the Office.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Office shall implement and administer the CMN Program.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In administering the CMN Program, the Office shall partner with the Office of People’s Counsel, the Fuel Fund of Central Maryland, the Cancer Support Foundation, electric and gas companies, nonprofit organizations, other State agencies, the health care community, and any other organization that the Office determines appropriate.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The purpose of the CMN Program is to reduce the barriers to the energy assistance application process for critical medically vulnerable individuals and their households in obtaining State and federal financial assistance for their electric, gas, or other energy source bills so that their electric, gas, or other energy source service continues or is restored.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The CMN Program shall facilitate assistance to critical medically vulnerable individuals and their households in obtaining State and federal financial assistance for their electric, gas, or other energy source bills through navigators.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Office shall determine qualifications and establish training requirements for navigators.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Office shall train navigators or facilitate the training of navigators by others.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>In accordance with the requirements set forth in the Code of Maryland Regulations, the Office shall work with electric and gas companies to implement, for critical medically vulnerable individuals:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a medical hold on electric or gas service or an expedited process to grant the extension of electric or gas service for those who will have their electric or gas services terminated; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an expedited process for the restoration of electric or gas service for those who have had their electric or gas service terminated.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>If a critical medically vulnerable individual is at least 60 years old and assisted by a navigator when applying to participate in the CMN Program, the Office shall allow the individual 90 days after applying for assistance to provide certification from a medical provider of the severe health condition.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Office shall establish a tracking system of the status of critical medically vulnerable individuals who participate in the CMN Program.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Department shall adopt regulations to implement this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5A-10" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5A" subtitle_name="Energy Assistance Program"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Office shall develop a uniform redetermination process to assist eligible energy customers who are at least 60 years old in enrolling in energy assistance programs.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The redetermination process developed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be updated annually.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The redetermination process shall require local administering agencies to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>have an accessible location to receive eligible energy customers’ applications according to the Office’s contractual or program requirements; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>establish a policy reflecting reasonable accommodations for applicants who are homebound or request accommodation, including by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>arranging for a home visit; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>allowing an individual to apply on the behalf of an eligible energy customer.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Office shall provide notice of the redetermination process to all eligible energy customers and include with the notice an addressed envelope with prepaid postage.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>In addition to the notice required under subsection (c) of this section, the Office shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>require yearly verification of status for each customer that qualifies for the redetermination process;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>allow an eligible energy customer 45 days to respond to a request for additional information; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>maintain records organized by county, including records on the number of households during the previous year:</text> <level label="i"> <text>that were eligible for redetermination;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>whose notice of the redetermination process was verified and returned; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>that were reenrolled in the redetermination process.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Office may not require a new application for a current energy customer whose eligibility has not changed from the previous year.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>On or before December 1 each year, the Office shall report, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly on the information collected under subsection (d)(3) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Department shall adopt regulations to implement this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5A-11" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5A" subtitle_name="Energy Assistance Program"> <text>This subtitle may be cited as the “Energy Assistance Program Act”.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5B-01" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5B" subtitle_name="Temporary Disability Assistance Program"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Applicant” means an individual who applies for assistance under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Assistance” means cash payments made to a recipient.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Eligibility period” means the period of time an individual is eligible for assistance under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Impairment” means a medically verified mental or physical condition that renders an individual unable to work at any occupation.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Program” means the Temporary Disability Assistance Program.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Recipient” means an individual who receives, or has received, assistance under this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5B-02" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5B" subtitle_name="Temporary Disability Assistance Program"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a State–funded Temporary Disability Assistance Program in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The primary purpose of the Program is to provide assistance to low–income disabled adults who are ineligible for other categories of assistance.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Program shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in effect in each county; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>administered by the local departments in accordance with regulations that the Administration adopts.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5B-03" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5B" subtitle_name="Temporary Disability Assistance Program"> <text>Subject to § 5–5B–04 of this subtitle, an applicant is entitled to assistance under this subtitle if the applicant is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a citizen of the United States or a qualified alien as determined by the Administration;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a resident of the State and the jurisdiction served by the local department at the time of application;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>unemployed;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>not receiving any other means–tested cash assistance; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>determined, based on the medical form required under § 5–5B–05 of this subtitle, to have an impairment that is expected to last at least 3 months.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5B-04" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5B" subtitle_name="Temporary Disability Assistance Program"> <level label="a"> <text>If an applicant has an impairment that is expected to last at least 12 months, the applicant shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>pursue Supplemental Security Income; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>sign an interim payment reimbursement authorization that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>gives the Social Security Administration authority to mail the applicant’s payments to the Department or the local department; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>authorizes the Department or local department to deduct from the payments an amount equal to the assistance granted the applicant under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A recipient who is otherwise eligible under this subtitle may not receive assistance for more than 9 months in a 36–month period, unless the recipient:</text> <level label="1"> <text>has been certified as medically disabled by a licensed health care provider on the medical form required under § 5–5B–05 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>has a pending application for Supplemental Security Income that has not been withdrawn or finally denied.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5B-05" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5B" subtitle_name="Temporary Disability Assistance Program"> <level label="a"> <text>An application for assistance under this subtitle shall be made:</text> <level label="1"> <text>to the local department of the county where the applicant resides; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in the form and manner that the Administration requires.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An application for assistance under this subtitle shall include a medical form that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>contains the name and estimated duration of the applicant’s impairment; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is signed by a licensed health care provider.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5B-06" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5B" subtitle_name="Temporary Disability Assistance Program"> <level label="a"> <text>In determining whether an applicant qualifies for assistance under this subtitle, the local department shall evaluate whether the applicant meets the criteria listed under § 5–5B–03 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The local department shall notify the applicant of its determination under subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5B-07" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5B" subtitle_name="Temporary Disability Assistance Program"> <level label="a"> <text>The local department shall determine an eligibility period for a recipient based on the estimated duration of the impairment indicated in the medical form required under § 5–5B–05 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The eligibility period determined by the local department:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may be less than the estimated recovery time indicated on the medical form; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may not exceed the estimated recovery time indicated on the medical form.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If a local department determines that a recipient’s eligibility period is at least 3 months, but less than 12 months, the recipient shall be eligible for assistance for not more than 9 months in a 36–month period.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>If the local department determines that a recipient is unlikely to recover in less than 12 months, the recipient shall be eligible for assistance for not more than 12 months if the recipient:</text> <level label="i"> <text>pursues Supplemental Security Income; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>otherwise remains eligible for assistance under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The local department may establish additional eligibility periods, each not exceeding 12 months, if the recipient:</text> <level label="i"> <text>reapplies for assistance under this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>maintains eligibility; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>continues to pursue a Supplemental Security Income claim.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The local department shall adjust the eligibility period for a recipient to be not more than 9 months in a 36–month period if the recipient:</text> <level label="i"> <text>withdraws the recipient’s application for Supplemental Security Income; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>is denied the Supplemental Security Income claim.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Unless a recipient reapplies for assistance and the local department establishes an additional eligibility period, a recipient’s eligibility for assistance under this subtitle will automatically end at the end of the eligibility period established by the local department.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>If a recipient is eligible for any portion of a month, the recipient shall be eligible for the entire month.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5B-08" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5B" subtitle_name="Temporary Disability Assistance Program"> <level label="a"> <text>The Governor shall provide sufficient funds in the budget to ensure that the value of the maximum monthly allowable assistance under the Program is equal to at least:</text> <level label="1"> <text>for fiscal year 2020, $215;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for fiscal year 2021, 74% of the monthly allowable benefit for a one–person household receiving temporary cash assistance through the Family Investment Program in fiscal year 2021;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>for fiscal year 2022, 78% of the monthly allowable benefit for a one–person household receiving temporary cash assistance through the Family Investment Program in fiscal year 2022;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>for fiscal year 2023, 82% of the monthly allowable benefit for a one–person household receiving temporary cash assistance through the Family Investment Program in fiscal year 2023;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>for fiscal year 2024, 86% of the monthly allowable benefit for a one–person household receiving temporary cash assistance through the Family Investment Program in fiscal year 2024;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>for fiscal year 2025, 90% of the monthly allowable benefit for a one–person household receiving temporary cash assistance through the Family Investment Program in fiscal year 2025;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>for fiscal year 2026, 94% of the monthly allowable benefit for a one–person household receiving temporary cash assistance through the Family Investment Program in fiscal year 2026; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>for fiscal year 2027 and each year thereafter, 100% of the monthly allowable benefit for a one–person household receiving temporary cash assistance through the Family Investment Program for that fiscal year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Assistance shall be paid to the applicant monthly.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-5B-09" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5B" subtitle_name="Temporary Disability Assistance Program"> <text>The Administration shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>supervise the administration of the Program under this subtitle by the local departments; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>adopt regulations necessary or desirable to carry out this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-601" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “resident” means an individual who resides in this State on the date the individual applies for public assistance.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to § 5–314 of this title and as authorized under 21 U.S.C. § 862a(d)(1), the State removes itself from the application of § 115 of the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 to allow the Department to provide temporary cash assistance and food stamps to a resident who has been convicted of a felony involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, if a resident receiving temporary cash assistance or food stamps is found to be in violation of § 5–612 or § 5–613 of the Criminal Law Article, the resident is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>ineligible for temporary cash assistance or food stamps for 1 year after the date of the conviction; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>subject to testing for substance abuse, as provided by the Department, and to treatment as required under § 5–314 of this title, for 2 years beginning on the later of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the date the individual is released from incarceration;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the date the individual completes any term of probation; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the date the individual completes any term of parole or mandatory supervision.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A recipient who fails to comply with the testing required under this subsection or the treatment required under § 5–314 of this title or who tests positive for the abuse of controlled dangerous substances is subject to the sanctions provided under § 5–314 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In consultation with the Maryland Department of Health, the Secretary shall adopt regulations to establish the testing methods and procedures, consistent with § 5–314 of this title, to be required by the Department under this subsection, including the intervals of testing and methods required.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-602" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Provisions"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administration, a local department, or any other unit may not decrease the monetary amount of assistance received by any recipient of public assistance before the implementation of a system of flat grant payments, solely as a result of the implementation of the system.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-603" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Provisions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Delinquent tenant” means a tenant of public housing who is 30 or more days delinquent in paying the tenant’s full monthly rent to a public housing authority.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Public housing” means a dwelling unit owned, leased, or managed by a public housing authority.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Public housing authority” means a public corporation created under Division II of the Housing and Community Development Article or the public corporation’s designee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If a recipient of temporary cash assistance is a delinquent tenant, the Administration, at the request of the public housing authority, shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>deduct the amount of the tenant’s rent from the tenant’s monthly assistance payments each month;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>pay the amount deducted from the tenant’s monthly assistance payments to the public housing authority or the public housing authority’s authorized agent; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>forward the remaining amount of the monthly assistance payments to the tenant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>If a court establishes an escrow account under § 8-211 of the Real Property Article or a parallel provision of public local law for a tenancy covered under subsection (b) of this section, the public housing authority shall notify the Administration of the court action.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On notice under paragraph (1) of this subsection or on certification by an attorney of record representing the delinquent tenant in the court action that an order has been issued to establish an escrow account, the Administration shall pay rent to the court as long as the order is in effect.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any notice under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection shall include a list of all addresses covered by the court action.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The public housing authority shall notify the Administration when the court action has been resolved.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-604" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department may request and obtain from a fiduciary institution doing business in the State any financial records that the Department determines are necessary to verify or confirm an individual’s eligibility or ineligibility for public assistance.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On a showing by an applicant for long–term care Medicaid benefits that the applicant has been unable to obtain from a fiduciary institution doing business in the State financial records related to financial and real property assets necessary to establish the applicant’s eligibility or ineligibility for Medicaid benefits, the Department shall request the records.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The Department shall adopt regulations governing procedures for requesting, obtaining, and examining financial records that the Department determines are necessary to verify or confirm an individual’s eligibility or ineligibility for public assistance.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The regulations shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>include reimbursement schedules necessary to compensate fiduciary institutions for complying with this section; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>state the requirements that an applicant must satisfy in order for the Department to request financial records under subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Secretary shall notify a fiduciary institution of the officers or employees of the Department who are authorized to request and receive financial records from the fiduciary institution.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An individual authorized to receive information under this section may not disclose any personally identifiable information obtained or maintained under this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-605" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Provisions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Fraud” has the meaning stated in § 8–501 of the Criminal Law Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Public assistance” means any assistance described in § 8–503 of the Criminal Law Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each applicant for or recipient of public assistance shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>read or have read to the individual a statement of the conduct that constitutes fraud; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>sign the statement to acknowledge that the individual understands that the penalties for fraud under § 8–503 of the Criminal Law Article are:</text> <level label="i"> <text>imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>restitution.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-606" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Provisions"> <text>The local department shall place a duplicate photo identification print in the case file of a public assistance recipient whenever a photo identification card is issued to the recipient.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-607" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>The Administration shall make every effort to recoup overpayments made to recipients that the State is authorized to recoup under federal law.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Administration shall establish an administrative procedure, in accordance with federal law, to be followed when the Administration has reason to believe that an overpayment has been made.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-608" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Provisions"> <text>The Administration may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>accept any federal funds or commodities;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>manage and dispose of any federal funds or commodities as required by federal law; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>apply the federal Social Security Act or any other federal law relating to public assistance to the benefit of the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-609" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Provisions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>“Personal identifying information” has the meaning stated in § 8–301 of the Criminal Law Article.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Personal identifying information” includes an Electronic Benefits Transfer card number or personal identification number.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Skimming practices” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>use of a skimming device, including a scanner, skimmer, reader, or other electronic device used to access, read, scan, obtain, memorize, or store, temporarily or permanently, personal identifying information; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>adding malicious code illegally to a website to capture Electronic Benefits Transfer card data or personal identifying information.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Theft” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>physical theft of an Electronic Benefits Transfer card;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>identity fraud, as defined in § 8–301 of the Criminal Law Article; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>theft through skimming practices.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Two–way fraud alert” means the capability of the Department to communicate with households, and of households to communicate with the Department, through text messaging regarding potential fraudulent use or theft of an Electronic Benefits Transfer card.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>For fiscal year 2025 and each fiscal year thereafter, the total amount of benefits restored under this section is limited to $30,000,000 per fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>If an investigation by the Department shows a household’s correctly issued benefits were lost due to theft, the Department shall restore the benefits without requiring further action from the household.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>As soon as practicable, but not later than 10 days after a household informs the Department of the loss of benefits due to theft, the Department shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>notify the household in writing of the Department’s decision as to whether to restore benefits, the amount of benefits to be restored, and the right to and method of requesting a hearing on the Department’s decision in accordance with subsection (d) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the Department determines that the household receives benefits, restore benefits to the household in the amount of benefits that was lost; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>provide the household with a new Electronic Benefits Transfer card.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Department may not:</text> <level label="i"> <text>require a household to provide a police report as a condition of restoration of benefits; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>limit the number of months in which a household can receive restoration of benefits lost due to theft.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>If a household disputes the amount of benefits restored or the Department’s determination that no restoration is due, the household may request a hearing with the Department within 90 days after the date of the Department’s determination.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a household requests a hearing under this subsection, the Department shall restore the benefits for which the household claims entitlement while the hearing is pending.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the hearing decision is unfavorable to the household, any benefits improperly restored under paragraph (2) of this subsection may be recovered by the Department by reducing the household’s benefit at a rate that may not exceed the lesser of $10 or 5% of the household’s monthly allotment of benefits.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>In the procurement process for electronic benefits distribution or administration, the State or State–aided or State–controlled entity shall give preference to a vendor that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>holds a form of insurance that can be used to reimburse a beneficiary for identity fraud or theft; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>provides identity access protections to protect an eligible beneficiary against identity fraud and theft, which may include multifactor authentication.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Department shall coordinate with vendors to take available precautions to reduce the vulnerability of Electronic Benefits Transfer cards to theft by utilizing enhanced technology.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>On or before December 1 each year, the Department, in consultation with local law enforcement agencies in the State, shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the accessibility and security of Electronic Benefits Transfer cards;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>actions taken to reduce the fraudulent use of Electronic Benefits Transfer cards;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the number of Electronic Benefits Transfer cards reissued due to fraud in the immediately preceding year;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the number of households reporting theft of benefits, by jurisdiction and program;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the number of households eligible for expedited Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits that reported loss of benefits due to theft, by jurisdiction and program;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the total dollar amount of benefits reported lost due to theft, by jurisdiction and program;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>the number of determinations of theft made by the Department, by jurisdiction;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>the number of determinations made by the Department that theft did not occur, by jurisdiction;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>the number of households reimbursed for benefits lost due to theft and the total dollar amount of benefits restored, by jurisdiction and program;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>the average and maximum length of time, in days, between the report of theft and the restoration of benefits, by jurisdiction;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>the number of hearings requested and the number of households that received a restoration of benefits as an outcome of a hearing, by jurisdiction; and</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>demographic data on households that experienced theft, including race, gender, number of households with children under the age of 18 years, and number of households with a member at least 60 years old.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-610" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>restore benefits to any household that lost benefits due to theft that occurred between January 1, 2021, and October 1, 2022, both inclusive, provided that the Department confirms the household lost benefits due to theft during that time period; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>support innovative practices required to support beneficiaries during the time period between the reporting of the loss of benefits due to theft and the restoration of benefits.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On or before September 1, 2023, the Department shall issue benefits to households eligible to receive funds under subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> </section>