Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following:
‘Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services To Implement Administrative Changes To Ensure, Within Existing Law and Resources, Access to Assistance by Certain Noncitizens’
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and inserting the following:
Sec. 1. Access to assistance by certain noncitizens. Resolved: That, in accordance with existing law and within available resources, the Department of Health and Human Services shall take steps to ensure the ability to meet basic needs, including housing and food, for any person who is:
1. Lawfully present in the United States with the knowledge and permission of the United States Department of Homeland Security and whose departure is not required by the United States Department of Homeland Security, including a person described in 45 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 152.2, Subsections (1) to (7) or a person with deferred action under the United States Department of Homeland Security's deferred action for childhood arrivals process; or
2. Pursuing a lawful process to apply for immigration relief under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, as long as the person has submitted to the federal government an application for immigration relief or can provide verification that the person is taking reasonable steps to pursue the application process.
The Department of Health and Human Services shall implement administrative rule changes, consistent with current law and to be funded within existing resources as soon as those resources are available or anticipated but no later than November 1, 2019, to ensure that persons described in subsections 1 and 2 who are otherwise eligible are able to access general assistance to the extent allowable pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 4301, subsection 3; food supplement program benefits in accordance with Title 22, section 3104; and temporary assistance for needy families in accordance with Title 22, section 3762, subsection 3.
The department shall adopt emergency rules under Title 5, section 8054 to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 2. Study of cost, consequences for noncitizens without health insurance; stakeholder involvement; report. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall study relevant federal, state and municipal data to determine the costs, including the costs of providing uncompensated care, and the short-term and long-term health consequences of noncitizens' not having health insurance. In conducting its review, the department shall consult with health care providers, hospitals, municipalities, social service organizations, organizations with expertise in workforce development and organizations representing noncitizens.
No later than February 1, 2020, the department shall submit its report and any recommendations developed pursuant to this section, including any suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services. After receipt and review of the report, the committee may report out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.