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Bill > LD1029
ME LD1029
ME LD1029An Act to Ensure General Assistance for Housing Does Not Reduce Assistance for Other Basic Necessities and to Increase Presumptive Eligibility and State Reimbursement for General Assistance
summary
Introduced
03/12/2025
03/12/2025
In Committee
03/12/2025
03/12/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/22/2025
05/22/2025
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
This bill: 1. Requires that the total maximum general assistance level provided to a person or household sufficiently account for housing assistance while providing adequate eligibility for other basic necessities; 2. Increases the period of presumptive eligibility for general assistance for a person who is provided shelter in an emergency shelter for the homeless from 30 days to 180 days; and 3. Increases from 70% to 90% the amount of state reimbursement for direct costs of general assistance incurred by each municipality and Indian tribe and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to reimburse municipalities and Indian tribes 100% of direct costs for providing emergency shelter for the homeless.
AI Summary
This bill makes three key changes to Maine's General Assistance program: First, it mandates that housing assistance cannot reduce the maximum assistance level for other basic necessities, ensuring that individuals and households receive sufficient support for all their essential needs. Second, it extends the presumptive eligibility period for individuals in emergency homeless shelters from 30 to 180 days, meaning these individuals will automatically be considered eligible for general assistance during this longer period without needing to repeatedly prove their eligibility. Third, the bill increases state reimbursement to municipalities and Indian tribes, raising the state's contribution from 70% to 90% for general assistance program costs, and introducing a 100% reimbursement rate specifically for emergency shelter expenses. These changes aim to provide more stable and comprehensive support for vulnerable populations by ensuring they can access housing and other basic necessities without facing financial barriers or repeated bureaucratic hurdles.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (10)
Rachel Talbot Ross (D)*,
Chip Curry (D),
Flavia DeBrito (D),
Drew Gattine (D),
Traci Gere (D),
Annie Graham (D),
Ambureen Rana (D),
Peggy Rotundo (D),
Mike Tipping (D),
Sam Zager (D),
Last Action
Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) (on 05/22/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1029&snum=132 |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0447&item=1&snum=132 |
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