An Act To Create a Bridge to Self-sufficiency for Vulnerable Segments of the Population by Providing Incentives to Employers

CONCEPT DRAFT SUMMARY

This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

This bill proposes to implement programs to facilitate the transition of persons from rehabilitation for drug or alcohol addiction or economic dependency to self-sufficiency by providing employment opportunities while allowing their employers to reduce their tax liability.

This bill would create a program, modeled on the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit program operated by the United States Department of Labor, to encourage employers to hire from certain population segments, such as MaineCare and Medicare recipients, veterans, persons in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program or receiving general assistance, persons convicted of a crime who have been released from prison, persons recently out of residential treatment or detoxification for substance use disorder or who recently began medication-assisted treatment and disadvantaged teens. The incentives would consist of tax credits based on the wages paid to qualified persons and financial assistance for training costs.