Resolve, To Change the Work Requirement Rules under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1247
Committee Amendment CA_A_H408 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 908, L.D. 1247, "Resolve, To Change 
the Work Requirement Rules under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 
Program" 
Amend the resolve by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, To Clarify the Good Cause and Sanction Process in the Temporary 
Assistance for Needy Families and Additional Support for People in Retraining and 
Employment Programs' 
Amend the resolve by striking out everything after the title and inserting the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. Department of Health and Human Services to amend the TANF 
and ASPIRE-TANF program rules regarding good cause and sanctions. 
Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall amend its rules for 
the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, referred to in this resolve as 
"TANF,
and the Additional Support for People in Retraining and Employment -
Temporaty Assistance for Needy Families program, referred to in this resolve as 
"ASPIRE-TANF,
to establish the following additional process for good cause 
determinations. 
1. When a TANF or ASPIRE-TANF participant is notified that the participant has 
failed to comply with a program rule that includes notice of good cause and the 
participant claims within 5 working days of receiving the notification, either orally or in 
writing, that the participant had good cause for failing to comply, a representative of the 
department shall meet individually with the participant. The meeting must take place at 
the office of the department representative, or at a location agreed upon by the participant 
and the department representative, or the meeting may be conducted by telephone if the 
participant is unable to be physically present. The department shall provide at least 5 
days' advance notice to the participant. 
At the meeting, the representative of the 
department shall: 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ·A "to H.P. 908, L.D. 1247 
A. Provide the participant with a notice describing good cause. The notice must 
include the participant's right to apply for a good cause exception; 
B. Verbally explain to the participant the reasons for which a good cause exception 
may be granted and the participant's right to make an application for a good cause 
exception either orally or in writing; and 
C. Provide the participant with the opportunity to make a request for a good cause 
exception from ASPIRE-TANF participation either wholly or in part. 
2. 
The department's representative shall make a complete written record of the 
meeting under subsection 1, including documenting that the participant was given the 
notice describing good cause, the participant's reason for good cause and that the 
participant was given the opportunity to make a request for a good cause exception. 
3. A department representative shall make a recommendation on the participant's 
request for a good cause exception, including the basis for the recommendation, in 
writing. The department shall then issue a final determination approving or denying, 
wholly or in part, the participant's request for a good cause exception, including notice of 
the right to a fair hearing. 
The determination must set forth the reasons for the 
application for a good cause exception being approved or denied. The department may 
not find lack of good cause prior to the final determination unless the participant fails to 
attend the scheduled meeting under subsection 1 without good cause. 
4. The notice of a determination that results in a proposed sanction of the participant 
must include a statement of why the participant does not qualify for a good cause 
exception. 
Nothing in this section precludes a program participant from claiming good cause at 
any time.' 
Amend the resolve by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the resolve and changes the title. 
It requires the 
Department of Health and Human Services to amend its rules to establish a process for a 
participant in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or Additional Support for 
People in Retraining and Employment - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 
program who fails to comply with a program requirement with an opportunity to claim 
good cause and receive a determination from the department in response to that claim. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 05/23/19 :tbfac 
LD 1247 
LR 840(02) 
Resolve, To Change the Work Requirement Rules under the Temporary Assistance for Needy 
Families Program 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'Yf' (H-rl) g \ 
Committee: Health and Human Services 
} 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Potential cu1rent biennium cost increase - Federal Block Grant Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
This resolve requires the Department of Health and Human Services amend its rules to establish a process for a 
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Additional Support for People in Retraining and Employment 
participant who fails to comply with a program requirement with an oppottunity to claim good cause and receive a 
dete1mination from the department. If the department were to detennine that additional individuals had good cause for 
failing a program requirement and could remain in the program, it could increase program costs. 
LR0840(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1