Bill > S2657

This bill aims to remove barriers that prevent people from lifting themselves out of poverty. Key provisions include: 1. Prohibiting the Department of Transitional Assistance from taking negative actions like reducing benefits or closing cases during a state of emergency. 2. Requiring the Department of Housing and Community Development to maintain local offices to accept in-person applications for emergency housing assistance and create targets for the number of shelter beds with capacity for social distancing. 3. Exempting funds from work-study programs, education grants, and vocational training from being counted as income or assets when determining eligibility for public assistance programs. 4. Mandating the Department of Transitional Assistance to inform recipients about vocational education options and allow them to use work requirements for time-limited benefits to participate in such programs. 5. Establishing a minimum $250 work expense deduction for the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children program to cover costs like transportation and clothing. 6. Directing the Department of Telecommunications and Cable to negotiate with Lifeline program carriers to provide unlimited minutes and data during emergencies and allow multiple free devices per household.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities (J)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2657