An Act To Increase Integrity in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program through Restriction of Expenditures
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 1822
Committee Amendment CA_A_H787 (House)
Amends: 22 MRSA §23

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 1312, L.D. 1822, Bill, "An Act To 
Increase Integrity in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program through 
Restriction of Expenditures" 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §23, sub-§l, ~, as corrected by RR 2011, c. 2, §23, is 
5 
amended to read: 
B. A gambling facility, as defined in Title 8, section 1001, subsection 16, except that 
use of the electronic benefits transfer system is permitted in any portion of the 
premises of a gambling facility that is set aside separately for the sale primarily of 
staple foods as defined in 7 United States Code, Section 2012(r); ef 
Sec. 2. 
MRSA §23, sub-§l, ~C, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 687, §4, is 
amended to read: 
C. 
A retail establishment that provides adult-oriented entertainment in which 
performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment7~ 
Sec. 3. 22 MRSA §23, sub-§l, ~ 
is enacted to read: 
D. A tobacco specialty store, as defined in section 1541, subsection 7. 
Sec. 4. Department of Health and Human Services to educate recipients 
of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. The Department of 
Health and Human Services shall develop an education program for recipients of benefits 
under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, referred to in this section 
as "T ANF," that emphasizes that those benefits under T ANF are to be used for supporting 
dependent children. The program must educate T ANF recipients regarding: 
1. Appropriate, approved and specific uses ofTANF benefits; 
2. Refraining from using the electronic benefits transfer system to pay for tobacco 
products, liquor products, gambling activities, lotteries or bail, including refraining from 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 1312, L.D. 1822 
using the electronic benefits transfer system at automated teller machines to withdraw 
T ANF benefits as cash, which is then used to pay for those products or activities; and 
3. The prohibition on using the electronic benefits transfer system for transactions 
for unauthorized spending pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 23. 
Sec. 5. Department of Health and Human Services to collect data on 
purchases of certain items. The Department of Health and Human Services shall 
collect as much data as possible on the use of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 
program benefits to pay for tobacco products, liquor products, gambling activities, 
lotteries and bail. The Department of Health and Human Services shall report this data, 
along with recommendations and suggested legislation, to the joint standing committee of 
the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters no later than 
December 15,2014.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment, which is the majority report of the committee, replaces the bill. It 
prohibits the use of the electronic benefits transfer system at tobacco specialty stores. It 
requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop an education program 
for recipients of benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program 
that emphasizes that those benefits are to be used for supporting dependent children and 
are not to be used to pay for tobacco products, liquor products, gambling activities, 
lotteries or bail. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services must collect 
as much data as possible on the use of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program 
benefits for tobacco and liquor products, gambling activities, lotteries and bail. The 
department is required to report its findings, including recommendations and suggested 
legislation, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
health and human services matters no later than December 15,2014. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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Approved: 04/01/14 frac.. 
LD 1822 
LR 2777(02) 
An Act To Increase Integrity in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program through 
Restriction of Expenditures 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment '/i,' (t1-7'6'1 ') 
Committee: Health and Human Services 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Potential current biennium savings - Federal Block Grant Funds 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Additional costs to the Department of Health and Human Services to implement the provisions of this bill are 
assumed to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. Any savings to the Temporary 
Assistance for Needy Families program cannot be determined at this time but should they be achieved would accrue to 
the program's Federal Block Grant Fund account. 
LR2777(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1