129th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 459		LR 937(02)
	An Act To Include Homelessness in the Laws Governing Emergency General Assistance
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Health and Human Services
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Current biennium cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill establishes presumptive eligibility for general assistance (GA) for 30 days for persons who are provided shelter at emergency shelters for the homeless. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Health and human Services (DHHS) to reimburse municipalities 100% of direct GA costs after a person has spent 90 consecutive nights homeless. This will potentially increase assistance payments made by municipalities and increase amounts reimbursed to municipalities by the DHHS. A more precise estimate of the fiscal impact is not possible because recipient data related to number of months on assistance, amounts paid to each recipient, number of recipients who return and the frequency of homelessness resides at the municipal level and varies over time. Any additional costs to the Department of Health and Human Services to convene a workgroup to examine the GA program and report back to the legislature are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.