<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" citation="COMAR 07.03.03.09" title_num="07" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="03" heading="Substance Abuse Treatment, Services, and Sanction Requirements.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Adult and minor parent applicants and recipients of TCA shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Be screened for substance abuse in the local department by the addictions specialist; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Comply with assessment and treatment requirements, if appropriate.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Screening and Assessment.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>During the assessment of an applicant or recipient's needs, the addictions specialist shall advise the individual of the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Substance abuse requirements specified in §C of this regulation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Penalties for failure to comply with these requirements.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In addition, the addictions specialist shall advise an applicant who is a custodial parent convicted of a drug-related felony that was committed after August 22, 1996, of the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Obligation to participate in drug testing; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Penalty for a custodial parent recipient convicted of a drug-related felony after July 1, 2000, as specified in §E(5) of this regulation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>During the assessment, when screening by the addictions specialist reveals that an individual has a substance abuse problem, the individual shall sign a medical release as specified in §C(1)(c) of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Eligibility Requirements.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>As a condition of eligibility for TCA, the adult and minor parent shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Participate in substance abuse screening and assessment with the addictions specialist at the time of the initial application and when necessary to assess the need for substance abuse treatment;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Enroll and maintain active enrollment in an appropriate treatment program when referred by the addictions specialist or a substance abuse treatment provider; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>When screening by the addictions specialist reveals that an individual has a substance abuse problem, sign a medical release that allows the local department or its designee to receive from the direct provider of services the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Results of a substance abuse screening, assessment, or other test to determine the individual's need for substance abuse treatment;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Results of the individual's referral to substance abuse treatment; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Individual's ongoing treatment status.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If an appropriate treatment program is not available, the individual is deemed participating and sanctions may not be imposed.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>As a condition of eligibility for TCA, the custodial parent convicted of a drug-related felony that was committed after August 22, 1996, shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Comply with the requirements specified in §C(1) of this regulation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>For a period of 2 years starting from the date of application, participate in drug testing.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Sanctions for Noncompliance with Substance Abuse Provisions.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>When the addictions specialist or the direct provider of services notifies the local department that the adult or minor parent:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Applicant failed to comply with the requirements specified in §C of this regulation, the local department shall:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Deny the application;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Notify the applicant of the specific reason why the applicant has not met the requirements and is not eligible for TCA; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Separately determine eligibility for Medical Assistance and food stamps for the applicant; or</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Recipient failed to comply with the requirements specified in §C of this regulation, the local department shall:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Follow the conciliation procedures as described in Regulation .19A(3) of this chapter;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Remove the individual's incremental portion from the full benefit amount;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Pay the remainder of the benefit to a third-party payee;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Notify the individual of the specific reasons why the individual is not in compliance with FIP requirements;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Notify the individual of the adjusted benefit amount and payment of the benefit to a third-party payee; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>Notify the individual of the effective date of the agency action, which is 30 days after the date of the notice.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The reduced benefit remains in effect until the adult or minor parent has complied with the requirements specified in §C of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The addictions specialist shall notify the local department when the adult or minor parent has complied with the requirements.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The sanctioned parent retains eligibility for Medical Assistance and food stamps as long as the parent continues to meet Medical Assistance and food stamp requirements.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Sanctions for Noncompliance with Substance Abuse Provisions by a Custodial Parent Convicted of a Drug-Related Felony.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>When the addictions specialist or the direct provider of services notifies the local department that the custodial parent:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Applicant convicted of a drug-related felony that was committed after August 22, 1996, failed to comply with the requirements specified in §C of this regulation, the local department shall:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Deny the application;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Notify the applicant of the specific reason why the applicant has not met the requirements and is not eligible for TCA; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Separately determine eligibility for Medical Assistance for the applicant; or</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Recipient convicted of a drug-related felony that was committed after August 22, 1996, failed to comply with the requirements specified in §C of this regulation, the local department shall:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Follow the conciliation procedures as described in Regulation .19A(3) of this chapter;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Remove the individual's incremental portion from the full benefit amount;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Pay the remainder of the benefit to a third-party payee;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Notify the individual of the specific reasons why the individual is not in compliance with FIP requirements;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Notify the individual of the adjusted benefit amount and payment of the benefit to a third-party payee; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>Notify the individual of the effective date of the agency action, which is 30 days after the date of the notice.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The reduced benefit remains in effect until the adult or minor parent has complied with the requirements specified in §C of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The addictions specialist shall notify the local department when the adult or minor parent has complied with the requirements.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The sanctioned parent retains eligibility for Medical Assistance as long as the parent continues to meet the Medical Assistance requirements.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Period of Ineligibility.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A custodial parent recipient convicted of a drug-related felony after July 1, 2000, shall become ineligible for TCA for 1 year from the date of the conviction.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The local department shall notify the recipient of the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Specific reason why the recipient has failed to meet program requirements; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Effective date of the agency action.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>After the year of ineligibility, to receive TCA the sanctioned parent shall comply with the requirements in §C of this regulation. Compliance is required for a period of 2 years starting from the later of the date the individual:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Is released from incarceration;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Completes any term of probation; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Completes any term of parole or mandatory supervision.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>