<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" citation="COMAR 07.03.16.08" title_num="07" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="16" heading="Failure or Refusal to Accept Employability Services or Employment.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Termination of Assistance.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If, without good cause, an employable nonexempt RCA recipient has failed or refused to meet the work requirements or has voluntarily quit a job, the individual is ineligible as described in §B of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Notice of Intended Termination.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The LDSS shall give timely and adequate notice if it reduces, suspends, or terminates assistance.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The LDSS shall provide written procedures in English and in appropriate languages for the determination of good cause, the sanctioning of refugees who do not comply with the requirements of the program, and for the filing of appeals by refugees.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The written notice shall include:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>An explanation of the reason for the action;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The proposed adverse consequences; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Notice of the recipient's right to mediation and a hearing.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A written notice in English and a written translated notice, or a verbal translation of the notice shall be sent or provided to a refugee at least 10 calendar days before the date the action becomes effective.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Sanctions.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If the sanctioned individual is the only member of the assistance unit, the LDSS shall terminate the RCA grant.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the assistance unit includes other members, the LDSS may not take into account the sanctioned individual's needs in determining the assistance unit's need for RCA.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The sanction applied in §B(1) or (2) of this regulation shall remain in effect for:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>3 payment months for the first failure; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>6 payment months for any subsequent failure.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Good cause for refusing or failing to cooperate with work requirements includes but is not limited to one or more of the following:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Illness or incapacity that is properly documented;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Verified, court-required appearance or temporary incarceration;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A family crisis that threatens normal family functioning;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A breakdown in childcare arrangements or lack of childcare resources;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A single parent caring for a child younger than 6 years old who is unable to obtain child care for one or more of the following reasons:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Unavailability of appropriate child care within a reasonable distance from the parent's home or work site;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Unavailability or unsuitability of informal child care by a relative or others; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Unavailability or unsuitability of appropriate and affordable formal child care arrangements; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>A breakdown in transportation arrangements if there is no accessible means of transportation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Good cause for quitting a job includes, but is not limited to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Taking a new job with another employer;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Discrimination based on race, sex, disability, or religious, or sexual orientation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Breakdown in transportation arrangements if there is no other accessible means of transportation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Breakdown in childcare arrangements or lack of childcare resources;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Domestic violence or other family crisis that threatens normal family functioning;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Hazardous working conditions;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Documented illness or incapacitation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Incarceration;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Resignation at the employer's request;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Lack of supportive services identified in the initial assessment and agreed upon by the recipient and the LDSS; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>Other circumstances determined to be good cause by the LDSS.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>