Bill > LD612

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to implement two key measures related to benefits recipients. First, beginning January 1, 2026, the department will enter a data-matching agreement to cross-check lottery winnings with Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. If a lottery prize winner has received Medicaid or SNAP benefits in the previous 12 months, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services must deduct the value of those benefits (calculated over the past 5 years) from the lottery winnings and remit that amount to the department. There are exemptions for individuals who are medically unfit for employment or are caregivers for dependent children with serious medical conditions. Second, the bill requires monitoring of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card transactions, with the department required to flag and potentially terminate benefits for recipients who exclusively use their EBT card out-of-state for 90 days. If a recipient cannot be contacted or is determined to no longer reside in the state, their benefits will be terminated, and their information will be reported to the appropriate federal agricultural office. Both departments must modify their program materials to provide notice of these new provisions and adopt rules to implement the changes.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=612&snum=132