128th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 886		LR 551(02)
	An Act To Require That Maine Welfare Benefits Be Used in Maine
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Health and Human Services
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Potential current biennium savings - Federal Block Grant Funds Minor cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	The Department of Health and Human Services does not have the technology to stop out-of-state purchases at the point of sale. However, an individual who knowingly violates the program rules could be sanctioned under the Intentional Program Violation, Chapter VI: Administrative Procedures in 10-144  Department of Health and Human Services Chapter 331: Public Assistance Manual (TANF - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) rules. These sanctions remove individuals from the program as follows: one year for first violation, 2 years for second violation and permanently for 3rd violation. Assuming individuals do violate the rules and purchase items using TANF funds outside of the state, excluding New Hampshire or fleeing a domestic violence situation, they could receive these sanctions and achieve savings in the TANF Federal Block Grant Funds. Any additional costs to the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt new rules are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.