An Act To Improve Work Readiness for Families Facing Significant Barriers to Employment
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 1343
Committee Amendment CA_A_H345 (House)
Amends: 22 MRSA §3788

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 960, L.D. 1343, Bill, "An Act To 
Improve Work Readiness for Families Facing Significant Barriers to Employment" 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 2 and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §3788, sub-§3-A is enacted to read: 
3-A. Comprehensive screening and assessment. If upon an initial screening or at a 
later date it is detennined that a participant has physical or mental health impainnents, 
learning disabilities, cognitive impainnents or limitations related to providing care for a 
household member with a disability or serious illness or a child with a serious behavioral 
condition, the participant must be offered the opportunity for a comprehensive assessment 
that may result in referral for alternative services, supports and income benefits. If the 
participant chooses to have a comprehensive assessment, the participant must be refen'ed 
to a qualified professional to identify the strengths and needs of and barriers faced by that 
participant. 
The participant's case manager shall ensure that any accOlmnodation or 
support services necessary for the participant to p8.1ticipate in the assessment are made 
available to the participant. 
The participant may supplement this assessment with 
medical records or any other credible information related to the participant's ability to 
participate in program activities. 
An assessment under this subsection may also be 
initiated at the choice of the participant at any time. The individual perfonning this 
assessment shall recommend to the case manager any services, supports and programs 
needed to improve the economic self-sufficiency and well-being of the participant and the 
participant's family based on the assessment. 
In coordination with the participant, the case manager shall establish a plan for the 
paliicipant and the participant's family based on the assessment that includes appropriate 
services, suppOlis and programs consistent with the findings and recOlmnendations of the 
assessment that may include: 
A. Referral to a cOlmnunity agency qualified to assist the pmiicipant with services, 
supports, education, training and accommodations needed to reduce or overcome any 
balTiers to achieving self-sufficiency and to fulfill the paliicipant's personal and 
family responsibilities; and 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMIITEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 960, L.D. 1343 
B. Assistance needed by the participant to obtain federal social security disability 
insurance benefits or federal supplemental security income benefits. 
This subsection does not preclude a determination that the participant is temporarily 
unable to participate, including participation in any assessment pursuant to this 
subsection, due to good cause as described in section 3785. Any determination made 
under this subsection may be appealed in accordance with section 3762, subsection 9. 
A participant who chooses to participate in a comprehensive assessment under this 
subsection and fails to participate without good cause may be sanctioned in accordance 
with section 3763, subsection I-A, paragraph A regardless of any previous sanctions that 
the participant may have incurred. 
The department shall provide training for case managers regarding their job 
responsibilities and their obligation to comply with the requirements of the federal 
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the 
Maine Human Rights Act when interviewing and providing infonnation to participants, 
when referring paliicipants for alternative services or when considering whether the 
participant requires reasonable accommodations in order to participate in the ASPIRE-
TANFprogram.' 
SU~ARY 
This amendment clarifies the role of the case manager in the comprehensive 
screening and assessment process. It also clarifies that a person who fails to participate 
without good cause may be sanctioned by the Department of Health and Human Services. 
FISCAL ~OTE REQLlRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 06/02/13 
~a~ 
LD 1343 
LR 1617(02) 
An Act To Improve Work Readiness for Families Facing Significant Barriers to Employment 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "Ii (K.-345 ) 
Committee: Health and Human Services 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
The Department of Health and Human Services is already in the process of selecting a contractor for these assessment 
services at an estimated cost of $1.5 million annually to be funded from federal block grant funds. Any additional 
costs resulting from this bill are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR1617(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1