HP0344
LD 481
Session - 128th Maine Legislature
C "B", Filing Number H-327, Sponsored by
LR 1134
Item 3
Bill Tracking, Additional Documents Chamber Status

Amend the bill by striking out all of the emergency preamble (page 1, lines 1 to 19 in L.D.).

Amend the bill in section 1 in paragraph B by striking out all of subparagraph (7) (page 2, lines 36 to 43 and page 3, lines 1 to 8 in L.D.) and inserting the following:

(7) In determining benefit levels for TANF recipients who have earnings from employment, the department shall disregard from monthly earnings the following:

(a) One hundred and eight dollars;

(b) Fifty percent of the remaining earnings that are less than the federal poverty level; and

(c) All actual child care costs necessary for work, except that the department may limit the child care disregard to $175 per month per child or $200 per month per child under 2 years of age or with special needs ; .

This subparagraph is repealed July 1, 2019.

Amend the bill in section 1 in paragraph B by inserting after subparagraph (7-A) the following:

(7-B) Beginning July 1, 2019, in determining benefit levels for TANF recipients who have earnings from employment, the department shall disregard from monthly earnings the following:

(a) All actual child care costs necessary for work, except that the department may limit the child care disregard to $175 per month per child or $200 per month per child under 2 years of age or with special needs;

(b) For a recipient employed 40 or more hours per week and who meets work participation requirements as defined in federal TANF rules, 100% of the gross earned income for the first full month of employment and the next consecutive month of employment, 75% of the gross earned income for the next 6 consecutive months of employment and 50% of the gross earned income for each additional consecutive month of employment thereafter; and

(c) For a recipient employed less than 40 hours per week and who meets work participation requirements as defined in federal TANF rules, 100% of the gross earned income for the first full month of employment, 75% of the gross earned income for the next 6 consecutive months of employment and 50% of the gross earned income for each additional consecutive month of employment thereafter.

The department may disregard 100% of earnings for a recipient under this subparagraph only one time in a 12-month period;

Amend the bill by striking out all of the emergency clause.

summary

This amendment is the minority report of the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services. The amendment specifies that beginning July 1, 2019, in determining benefit levels for TANF recipients who have earnings from employment, the Department of Health and Human Services must disregard from monthly earnings the following: for a recipient employed 40 or more hours per week and who meets work participation requirements as defined in federal TANF rules, 100% of the gross earned income for the first full month of employment and the next consecutive month of employment, 75% of the gross earned income for the next 6 consecutive months of employment and 50% of the gross earned income for each additional consecutive month of employment thereafter and for a recipient employed less than 40 hours per week and who meets work participation requirements as defined in federal TANF rules, 100% of the gross earned income for the first full month of employment, 75% of the gross earned income for the next 6 consecutive months of employment and 50% of the gross earned income for each additional consecutive month of employment thereafter.

The amendment strikes from the bill the department's prohibition on considering the following in determining benefit levels for TANF recipients: $108 and 50% of the remaining earnings that are less than the federal poverty level.

The amendment also specifies that the department may disregard 100% of earnings for a recipient only one time in a 12-month period.

The amendment restores the provision in current law removed by the bill directing the department to disregard from monthly earnings all actual child care costs necessary for work, except that the department may limit the child care disregard to $175 per month per child or $200 per month per child under 2 years of age or with special needs.

The amendment also removes the emergency preamble and emergency clause.


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