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-HA_A_H802 (House)

HOUSE AMENDMENT "/I-,, to 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 amendment in the first indented paragraph in the first 2 lines (page 1, 
lines 12 and 13 in amendment) by striking out the following: "striking out everything 
after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting" and inserting the 
following: 'inserting before section I' 
Amend the amendment by inserting after section 3 the following: 
'Amend the bill in section 1 by striking out all of subsection 11 (page 1, lines 3 to 11 
in L.D.) and inserting the following: 
'11. Prohibited expenditures. The expenditure of T ANF benefits is governed by 
this subsection. 
A. T ANF benefits may not be expended on: 
(1) Tobacco products, as defined in Title 22, section 1551, subsection 3; 
(2) Imitation liquor and liquor, as defined in Title 28-A, section 2, subsections 
and 16, respectively; 
(3) Gambling activity, as defined in Title 8, section 1001, subsection 15; 
(4) Lotteries conducted by the State pursuant to Title 8, chapter 14-A or the Tri-
State Lotto Commission pursuant to Title 8, chapter 16; or 
(5) Bail, as defined in Title 15, section 1003, subsection 1. 
B. An eligible recipient of cash assistance from the TANF program who knowingly 
makes a prohibited purchase in violation of paragraph A is subject to the following 
penalties: 
(1) For a first offense, a warning that includes an explanation, both orally and in 
writing, of the purposes of the T ANF program and a clear delineation of those 
items for which T ANF benefits may not be expended; 
Page I - 126LR2777(lO)-1 
HOUSE AMENDMENT 
I". ct S. 
HOUSE AMENDMENT "j}:, to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 1312, L.D. 1822 
(2) For a 2nd offense, a period of disqualification for benefits that does not 
exceed 3 months; and 
(3) For a 3rd and subsequent offense, a period of disqualification for benefits that 
does not exceed 6 months. 
The department may disqualify an eligible recipient only after notice and opportunity 
for a hearing pursuant to rules adopted by the department.' 
Amend the bill by inserting after section 1 the following:' 
Amend the amendment in section 4 in subsection 3 in the last line (page 2, line 4 in 
amendment) by inserting after the following: "section 23" the following: 'and section 
3763, subsection 11' 
Amend the amendment by striking out all of section 5 (page 2, lines 5 to 12 in 
amendment) and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 5. Department of Health and Human Services to collect information 
on purchases of certain items. The Department of Health and Human Services shall 
collect information on the costs and impact of implementing and enforcing the 
prohibitions set forth in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 3763, subsection 11, 
including the: 
1. Administrative costs of implementation and costs of enforcing the prohibitions; 
2. Number of recipients who have been finally determined by the department to have 
violated the prohibitions; 
3. Status of and final adjudication of any judicial appeals of determinations by the 
department; 
4. Number of individuals who have been penalized under Title 22, section 3763, 
subsection 11, paragraph B, segregated by the categories of penalty described in that 
paragraph; and 
5. 
Dollar amount of any funds recovered as a result of enforcement of penalties 
described in Title 22, section 3763, subsection 11, paragraph B. 
The Department of Health and Human Services shall report this information, along 
with recommendations and any suggested legislation, to the joint standing committee of 
the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters no later than 
March 15,2015. 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively.' 
Amend the amendment by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter 
or section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment restores the provisions of the bill that prohibit benefits under the 
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program from being expended on tobacco, 
HOUSE AMENDMENT 
,ft. ~ S. 
HOUSE AMENDMENT "I(" to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 1312, L.D. 1822 
imitation liquor, liquor, gambling, lotteries or bail. In addition, the Department of Health 
and Human Services is directed to collect infonnation on the cost and impact of 
implementing and enforcing the restrictions 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 
March 15,2015. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(Sec r/'edl 
SPONSORED BY: 
tfl!Y{ 
If; L.---
(Representative MCCABE) 
TOWN: Skowhegan 
HOUSE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/02114 ;1J?ac 
LD 1822 
LR 2777(10) 
An Act To Increase Integrity in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program through 
Restriction of Expenditures 
Fiscal Note for House Amendment~' to Committee Amendment "A" 
Sponsor: Rep. McCabe of Skowhegan 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Potential current biennium savings - Federal Block Grant Fund 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
The amendment may increase the potential for Federal Block Grant Fund savings. Additional rulemaking and 
administrative costs for the Department of Health and Human Services are assumed to by minor and can be absorbed 
within existing budgeted resources. 
LR2777 (1 0) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1