reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-205 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 2 - Family Investment Administration|Section 5-205 - Powers and Duties of Administration

    (a)    The Administration shall be the central coordinating and directing agency of all public assistance programs in the State, including:        (1)    the Family Investment Program and related cash benefit programs;        (2)    public assistance to adults;        (3)    emergency assistance;        (4)    food stamps;        (5)    medical assistance eligibility determinations;        (6)    the Energy Assistance Program;        (7)    the Temporary Disability Assistance Program; and        (8)    any other public assistance activities financed wholly or partly by the Administration.    (b)    The Administration shall supervise, direct, and control the activities of the local departments that it finances wholly or partly.    (c)    (1)    The Administration may visit any State-aided institution, organization, or agency engaged in public assistance activities and inspect thoroughly its management, buildings, and equipment.        (2)    Visits and inspections under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be made:            (i)    at reasonably convenient hours; and            (ii)    with reasonable regard for the established discipline, regulations, and customs of the institution, organization, or agency.    (d)    As desirable or necessary for the purpose of this title, the Administration may designate existing agencies or organizations in the State as the Administration’s agents.    (e)    Before the start of each regular session of the General Assembly, the Administration shall submit a report of its activities to the Governor.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-206 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 2 - Family Investment Administration|Section 5-206 - Automated Statewide System

    The Department may develop and implement an automated statewide system and related administrative procedures to achieve effectively and efficiently the purposes of this title.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-207 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 2 - Family Investment Administration|Section 5-207 - Regulations

    (a)    Subject to § 2-209(b) of this article, the Executive Director may adopt regulations necessary to carry out the duties imposed on the Executive Director by law.    (b)    (1)    The Executive Director shall adopt regulations covering the custody, use, and preservation of the records of the Administration and the local departments concerning applicants for and recipients of public assistance.        (2)    The use of the records of the Administration and the local departments by any other governmental unit shall be limited to the purposes for which the records are furnished.    (c)    (1)    All regulations or directives implemented by the Executive Director that are based on federal law, rules, regulations, or guidelines shall have the federal material:            (i)    referenced in the text of the State material; or            (ii)    attached permanently to the State material.        (2)    The Department shall furnish to each of the local departments at least one up-to-date copy of all current federal regulations applicable to the operations of the local department.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-301 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 3 - Family Investment Program|Section 5-301 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “FIP” means the Family Investment Program.    (c)    “Nonprofit organization” means a religious, charitable, or volunteer organization that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.    (d)    “Recipient” means each individual in a FIP case.    (e)    “Temporary cash assistance” means the cash assistance component of the FIP that is funded wholly or partly through Title IV, Part A, of the Social Security Act.    (f)    “Third party payee” means:        (1)    an individual that the Department approves;        (2)    a nonprofit organization;        (3)    a for-profit organization; or        (4)    a governmental unit, including a local department.    (g)    “Transitional assistance” means assistance provided to a recipient whose temporary cash assistance has been terminated for noncompliance with FIP requirements.    (h)    “Work activity” means:        (1)    job search activity;        (2)    subsidized employment in either the public or private sector;        (3)    work experience;        (4)    on-the-job training;        (5)    community service;        (6)    training directly related to employment; or        (7)    education directly related to employment.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-302 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 3 - Family Investment Program|Section 5-302 - Established; Purpose

    (a)    There is a Family Investment Program in the Department.    (b)    The primary purpose of this subtitle is to support family efforts to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through services and financial aid geared to individual family needs.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-303 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 3 - Family Investment Program|Section 5-303 - Duties of Secretary

    The Secretary shall:         (1)    implement a FIP that meets the requirements of this subtitle and federal law;        (2)    supervise the administration by local departments of the FIP under this subtitle;        (3)    cooperate with the federal government in matters of mutual concern pertaining to federal funding for the FIP; and        (4)    adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-306 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 3 - Family Investment Program|Section 5-306 - Contracting Powers of Department

    In providing assistance under this subtitle, the Department may contract with:         (1)    charitable organizations;        (2)    private organizations;        (3)    religious organizations; and        (4)    institutions of higher education.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-307 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 3 - Family Investment Program|Section 5-307 - Religious Organizations

    (a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a religious organization may participate in the FIP on the same basis as any other nongovernmental entity.    (b)    An individual may not be required to accept assistance from a religious organization if acceptance would violate the individual’s bona fide religious beliefs and practices.    (c)    An organization funded under the FIP may not discriminate on the basis of religion, religious belief, or refusal to participate in a religious practice with respect to any individual’s receipt of service under the FIP.    (d)    The Department shall provide all recipients with clear and timely notice of their rights under § 104(e) of the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-310 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 3 - Family Investment Program|Section 5-310 - Amount of Assistance; Rules of Eligibility

    (a)    (1)    For applicants to the FIP, the amount of assistance shall be computed by counting no more than 4 weeks of earned income in any month and disregarding 20% of that earned income.        (2)    The first $100 of child support collected in a month for one child and the first $200 of child support collected in a month for two or more children shall pass through to the family and shall be disregarded in computing the amount of assistance.        (3)    For eligible recipients who obtain unsubsidized employment, the amount of assistance shall be computed by counting no more than 4 weeks of earned income in any month and disregarding 35% of that earned income.    (b)    A recipient who has established eligibility may not lose eligibility solely because one or more wage earners in the family unit works more than 100 hours per month.    (c)    Two–parent families shall be exempt from any requirement that the principal wage earner must have worked for a specified time before applying to the FIP.    (d)    (1)    A child who is living with the child’s parent and a stepparent in a household in which the household income exceeds the State eligibility standard for assistance may receive assistance if:            (i)    the requirements of § 5–308 of this subtitle are met; and            (ii)    the parent and the child would be eligible for assistance, based on the income of the parent and that parent’s children.        (2)    The amount of assistance to be paid under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be computed with regard to the income of the stepparent if the total income of the stepparent equals or exceeds 50% of the official poverty level, adjusted for family size, established under the federal Community Services Block Grant Act.    (e)    A dependent child over the age of 17 years is eligible for inclusion in the FIP grant if:        (1)    the child is a full–time student in secondary school or the equivalent; and        (2)    the education program is expected to be completed in the calendar year that the child attains the age of 19 years.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-311 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 3 - Family Investment Program|Section 5-311 - Periodic Recertification; Cancellation, Suspension, or Revocation

    (a)    All assistance granted under this subtitle is subject to periodic recertification.    (b)    At any time, the Department may cancel, suspend, or revoke assistance if:        (1)    the recipient’s circumstances have altered sufficiently to warrant cancellation, suspension, or revocation; or        (2)    the recipient has failed to comply with FIP requirements.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-313 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 3 - Family Investment Program|Section 5-313 - Temporary Cash Assistance -- Limitations

    (a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section and in regulations that the Secretary adopts, a local department may not pay temporary cash assistance to:        (1)    a family that includes an adult who has received more than 60 cumulative months of temporary cash assistance funded wholly or partly by federal funds; or        (2)    a family that includes an adult who:            (i)    has received more than 24 cumulative months of temporary cash assistance funded wholly or partly by federal funds; and            (ii)    is not participating in a work activity.    (b)    The Secretary shall adopt regulations that establish:        (1)    standards and procedures under which a local department may exempt a family from the limitation under subsection (a)(1) of this section because of hardship; and        (2)    a separate State program that:            (i)    is funded entirely from State general funds that may be counted toward any federal maintenance of effort requirement;            (ii)    pays temporary cash assistance to a family that is exempted under item (1) of this subsection but cannot receive federal funds because of federal limitations; and            (iii)    is subject to all FIP requirements under this subtitle.    (c)    The provisions of this section are subject to federal law and regulation.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-315 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 3 - Family Investment Program|Section 5-315 - Ssi Benefits; Reasonable Subsistence; Medicaid Eligibility

    (a)    Subsections (b) and (c) of this section are not intended to create an incentive for individuals to seek temporary cash assistance benefits instead of employment.    (b)    In determining a family’s eligibility for the FIP, the local department shall exclude Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits provided to an adult or child family member.    (c)    Except as limited by federal requirements, the level of temporary cash assistance, as determined by a local department, shall:        (1)    be determined with due regard to the available resources, necessary expenditures, and specific conditions of a family; and        (2)    be sufficient, when added to all other income and support available to the child, to provide a child with a reasonable subsistence compatible with decency and health.    (d)    A recipient who obtains employment remains eligible for medical assistance for up to 12 months after the date of employment.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-319 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 3 - Family Investment Program|Section 5-319 - Fip Demonstration Sites

    (a)    In this section, “demonstration site” means a site that the Secretary selects in consultation with the local director.    (b)    The Secretary may establish a FIP demonstration site in not more than six jurisdictions.    (c)    Notwithstanding any other law, the local director shall appoint a director of the FIP established in a demonstration site who shall report directly to the local director.    (d)    Notwithstanding any other law, the Secretary has sole authority to approve demonstration site plans that will govern FIP functions in a demonstration site, including the authority to approve demonstration site plans that will:        (1)    assist families that have an employable parent toward a lasting exit from temporary cash assistance;        (2)    ensure that individuals and families receive appropriate benefits;        (3)    reduce errors in the administration of FIP;        (4)    place temporary cash assistance recipients in employment in which their earnings will likely increase; and        (5)    improve the types of employment and employment retention rates of existing and former recipients.    (e)    The local director shall:        (1)    develop a demonstration site plan for submittal to the Secretary for approval that will detail its:            (i)    programmatic structure, including any programmatic changes;            (ii)    organizational structure, including any organizational changes;            (iii)    pay incentive structure and criteria for the award of pay incentives;            (iv)    measurable performance criteria and how these relate to the incentive structure; and            (v)    target performance criteria;        (2)    implement the plan as approved; and        (3)    report to the Department on the progress achieved in the demonstration site.    (f)    The proper operation of the demonstration site and the achievement of the target performance criteria shall be an element of the local director’s performance evaluation.    (g)    The Secretary shall establish a performance incentive program to provide pay incentives for employees in a demonstration site.    (h)    The Secretary’s powers under this section shall be construed liberally.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-320 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 3 - Family Investment Program|Section 5-320 - Mentoring Program

    (a)    In cooperation with local directors, the Secretary shall establish a mentoring program for former recipients.    (b)    (1)    The mentoring program may include FIP caseworkers in local departments who volunteer to be mentors.        (2)    The Department may contract with other entities under § 5-306 of this subtitle to acquire mentors for former recipients.    (c)    Mentoring may include:        (1)    providing assistance to resolve workplace problems;        (2)    providing workplace adjustment assistance;        (3)    job coaching;        (4)    providing assistance to develop life skills;        (5)    counseling and tutoring; and        (6)    any other activities that will help former recipients through the first months that they no longer receive temporary cash assistance.    (d)    To be eligible to participate in the mentoring program, an individual shall:        (1)    have been a recipient in the previous 6 months;        (2)    have been employed; and        (3)    have a demonstrated need and desire for assistance in acquiring and maintaining the skills necessary for a lasting exit from temporary cash assistance.    (e)    Program participation may not exceed 6 months.    (f)    The Secretary may arrange to provide pay or other types of incentives to employees who volunteer to mentor former recipients.    (g)    The Secretary’s powers under this section shall be construed liberally.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-321 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 3 - Family Investment Program|Section 5-321 - Future Amendment or Repeal of Subtitle

    (a)    Any assistance granted under this subtitle is subject to future amendment or repeal of this subtitle.    (b)    A recipient is not entitled to compensation if the recipient’s assistance is affected by amendment or repeal of this subtitle.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-322 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 3 - Family Investment Program|Section 5-322 - Report on Vocational Education or Education Directly Related to Employment

    ** TAKES EFFECT JULY 1, 2020 PER CHAPTER 476 OF 2019 **    (a)    On or before October 1 each year, the Department shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the following information for the preceding year:        (1)    the number of recipients who engaged in vocational education or education directly related to employment;        (2)    the number of recipients who completed vocational education or education directly related to employment;        (3)    the number of recipients who obtained or maintained employment for 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months after completing vocational education or education directly related to employment; and        (4)    the average earnings of recipients who obtained or maintained employment for 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months after completing vocational education or education directly related to employment.    (b)    The information in the report required under subsection (a) of this section shall be broken down by the types of vocational education or education programs in which the recipients engaged, including:        (1)    associate degree programs;        (2)    vocational education programs that do not lead to an associate degree;        (3)    postsecondary education programs that are not included in items (1) or (2) of this subsection;        (4)    adult basic education programs;        (5)    English as a second language programs; and        (6)    GED programs.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-501 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 5 - Food Stamps|Section 5-501 - Food Supplement Program

    (a)    (1)    The Department may implement a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in accordance with the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.        (2)    The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program shall include a Restaurant Meals Program in accordance with § 5–505 of this subtitle.    (b)    The State shall bear the nonfederal portion of the administrative costs of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for each county.    (c)    Each local department shall administer the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program:        (1)    under the supervision and control of the Department; and        (2)    in accordance with the regulations of the Department and federal law.    (d)    If a household includes an individual who is at least 62 years old and receives a federally funded benefit in an amount less than $30 per month under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the State shall provide a supplement to increase the total benefit to $30 per month.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-502 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 5 - Food Stamps|Section 5-502 - Conflict With Federal Law

    Except as provided in § 5-503 of this subtitle, if any provision of this subtitle conflicts with any federal law, the federal law shall prevail.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-503 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 5 - Food Stamps|Section 5-503 - Legal Immigrants

    Subject to the State budget, the Department shall provide food supplement benefits to a legal immigrant who:        (1)    is a minor;        (2)    is ineligible for federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits because of immigration status;        (3)    meets all other Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility requirements; and        (4)    meets any other requirements of the State.
MD. Human Services Code Ann. §  5-504 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Human Services|Title 5 - Public Assistance|Subtitle 5 - Food Stamps|Section 5-504 - Prohibited Acts

    (a)    A person may not sell or purchase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits unless otherwise authorized by law.    (b)    A person may not knowingly buy or sell merchandise that has been purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.    (c)    If the value of the money or goods involved is $1,000 or more, a person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction:        (1)    is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both; and        (2)    shall make full restitution of the money or goods unlawfully received or perform community service, as determined by the court.    (d)    If the value of the money or goods involved is less than $1,000, a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction:        (1)    is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both; and        (2)    shall make full restitution of the money or goods unlawfully received or perform community service, as determined by the court.