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An Act To Increase Workforce Participation in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program and Other Assistance Programs
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  22 MRSA c. 1055-B  is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 1055-B
EMPLOYMENT-RELATED TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES
§ 3831. Employment-related transportation assistance program
 
1.  Program established.     The department shall administer a program to provide employment-related transportation assistance to families receiving benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program under chapter 1053-B or the food supplement program under section 3104 that need a motor vehicle for employment purposes.
 
2.  Uses of assistance.     The department may provide financial assistance under this section for motor vehicle repairs, registration and inspection.
 
3.  Funding.     The program under this section must be supported with federal block grant funds provided under the United States Social Security Act, Title IV, Part A.
 
4.  Rulemaking.     The department shall adopt rules to implement this section, including, but not limited to, rules relating to proof of employment, proof of an employment-related need for a motor vehicle, household income requirements and verification of motor vehicle repairs, registration and inspection. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
 
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to administer a program to provide financial assistance to families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits or statewide food supplement program benefits for motor vehicle repairs, registration and inspection when the motor vehicle is needed for employment purposes. Under the bill, the program must be supported with federal block grant funding under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.