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Amend the bill by inserting after the enacting clause and before section 1 the following:
‘Sec. 1.  22 MRSA §20  is enacted to read:
§ 20. Workforce development program for legal immigrants
 
1.  Program established.     A workforce development program for legal immigrants, referred to in this section as "the program," is established to reduce barriers to employment faced by legal immigrants. The program must provide the following workforce development services to legal immigrants in this State lawfully residing in the United States:
 
A.  English language classes for adults and children;
 
B.  Citizenship classes;
 
C.  Financial literacy classes for adults; and
 
D.  Training and support for adults and children seeking employment.
 
2.  Administration.     The department may contract with an entity that is best suited to administer this program. Administration of the program includes determining eligibility for the program and providing the services specified in subsection 1. The department may disburse funds appropriated or allocated to the program to the entity with which it has contracted to administer the program.
 
3.  Rulemaking.    The department may adopt rules to implement the program. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.’
Amend the bill by adding after section 3 the following:
‘Sec. 4. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY DHS)
 
Food Supplement Administration Z019
 
Initiative: Reduces appropriations by eliminating state-funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for noncitizens who do not meet federal eligibility requirements.

GENERAL FUND	2017-18	2018-19	
All Other	($904,593)	($1,206,124)	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	($904,593)	($1,206,124)	

State Supplement to Federal Supplemental Security Income 0131
 
Initiative: Reduces appropriations by eliminating state-funded cash benefits to noncitizens who do not meet federal eligibility requirements.

GENERAL FUND	2017-18	2018-19	
All Other	($885,209)	($1,180,279)	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	($885,209)	($1,180,279)	

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 0138
 
Initiative: Reduces appropriations by eliminating Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits for noncitizens who do not meet federal eligibility requirements.

GENERAL FUND	2017-18	2018-19	
All Other	($436,810)	($582,414)	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	($436,810)	($582,414)	

Workforce Development for Legal Immigrants Program N254
 
Initiative: Provides funding for the department to contract with an entity to adminster the workforce development for legal immigrants program.

GENERAL FUND	2017-18	2018-19	
All Other	$2,226,612	$2,968,817	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$2,226,612	$2,968,817	

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY DHS)			
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2017-18	2018-19	
			
GENERAL FUND	$0	$0	
			
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$0	$0	
 
’
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section number to read consecutively.
 
SUMMARY
This amendment is the minority report of the committee. It creates a workforce development program to provide to legal immigrants English language classes, citizenship classes, financial literacy classes and training and support for adults and children seeking employment. It permits the Department of Health and Human Services to contract with an entity best suited to administer this program and allows the department to adopt rules to implement the program. The amendment provides for funding to implement the program.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)