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Montana Administrative Register Notice 37-514 No. 13   07/15/2010    
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BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OF THE

STATE OF MONTANA

 

In the matter of the amendment of ARM 37.78.102 pertaining to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT

 

 

TO:  All Concerned Persons

 

            1.  On August 5, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., the Department of Public Health and Human Services will hold a public hearing in the auditorium of the Department of Public Health and Human Services Building, 111 North Sanders, Helena, Montana, to consider the proposed amendment of the above-stated rule.

 

2.  The Department of Public Health and Human Services will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this rulemaking process or need an alternative accessible format of this notice.  If you require an accommodation, contact Department of Public Health and Human Services no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 27, 2010, to advise us of the nature of the accommodation that you need.  Please contact Rhonda Lesofski, Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Legal Affairs, P.O. Box 4210, Helena, Montana, 59604-4210; telephone (406) 444-4094; fax (406) 444-9744; or e-mail dphhslegal@mt.gov.

 

3.  The rule as proposed to be amended provides as follows, new matter underlined, deleted matter interlined:

 

            37.78.102  TANF:  FEDERAL REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY REFERENCE

            (1) remains the same.

            (2)  The "Montana TANF Cash Assistance Manual" dated January 1, 2010 August 1, 2010 is adopted and incorporated by this reference.  A copy of the Montana TANF Cash Assistance Manual is available for public viewing at each local Office of Public Assistance, and at the Department of Public Health and Human Services, Human and Community Services Division, 111 N. Jackson St., 5th Floor, P.O. Box 202925, Helena, MT 59620-2925.  Manual updates are also available on the department's web site at www.dphhs.mt.gov.

 

AUTH:  53-4-212, MCA

IMP:  53-4-211, 53-4-601, MCA

 

            4.  The Department of Public Health and Human Services (department) is proposing amendment to ARM 37.78.102 pertaining to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

 

 

ARM 37.78.102

 

ARM 37.78.102 currently adopts and incorporates by reference the TANF policy manual effective January 1, 2010.  The department proposes to make some revisions to this manual regarding the TANF Working Caretaker Relative Program that will take effect on August 1, 2010.  The proposed amendment to ARM 37.78.102 is necessary to incorporate into the Administrative Rules of Montana the revised versions of the policy manual and to permit all interested parties to comment on the department's policies and to offer suggested changes.  It is estimated that changes to the TANF manual could affect an average of 83 households and approximately 128 children who have received services through the TANF Working Caretaker Relative Program.  Manuals and TANF policy bulletins are available for review in each local office of public assistance and on the department's web site at www.dphhs.mt.gov.

 

Following is a brief overview of the TANF manual material with substantive changes:

 

TANF 901-2 - Working Caretaker Relative Child Care

 

TANF 901-2 is being updated to reflect changes to the copayment and service population for the TANF Working Caretaker Relative Program.  Effective August 1, 2010, the mandatory copayment will increase from $10 per family to $150 per family and service will only be provided to children ages 11 and under.

 

The TANF Working Caretaker Relative Program was implemented pursuant to House Bill 2 (HB 2) (effective August 1, 2007) and House Bill 676 (effective July 1, 2009).  Funding for the program was established at $485,072 for state fiscal year 2011.  Current expenditures indicate the funding will not be sufficient to provide services at the existing level, therefore in order to stay within the budgeted amount as required per restrictions in HB 2, the above changes are necessary.

 

The department estimates the change in copayment could impact an average of 83 households and approximately 128 children.  The department estimates the change in service population could impact a small number of households with children over the age of 11.  Currently there are only two children over the age of 11 receiving services through TANF working caretaker relative child care.

 

            5.  The department intends to apply this rule retroactively to August 1, 2010, which is needed to provide services at the existing level within the budget restrictions to HB 2.

 

            6.  Concerned persons may submit their data, views, or arguments either orally or in writing at the hearing.  Written data, views, or arguments may also be submitted to: Rhonda Lesofski, Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Legal Affairs, P.O. Box 4210, Helena, Montana, 59604-4210; fax (406) 444-9744; or e-mail dphhslegal@mt.gov, and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., August 13, 2010.

 

7.  The Office of Legal Affairs, Department of Public Health and Human Services, has been designated to preside over and conduct this hearing.

 

8.  The department maintains a list of interested persons who wish to receive notices of rulemaking actions proposed by this agency.  Persons who wish to have their name added to the list shall make a written request that includes the name, e-mail, and mailing address of the person to receive notices and specifies for which program the person wishes to receive notices.  Notices will be sent by e-mail unless a mailing preference is noted in the request.  Such written request may be mailed or delivered to the contact person in 6 above or may be made by completing a request form at any rules hearing held by the department.

 

9.  An electronic copy of this proposal notice is available through the Secretary of State's web site at http://sos.mt.gov/ARM/Register.  The Secretary of State strives to make the electronic copy of the notice conform to the official version of the notice, as printed in the Montana Administrative Register, but advises all concerned persons that in the event of a discrepancy between the official printed text of the notice and the electronic version of the notice, only the official printed text will be considered.  In addition, although the Secretary of State works to keep its web site accessible at all times, concerned persons should be aware that the web site may be unavailable during some periods, due to system maintenance or technical problems.

 

10.  The bill sponsor contact requirements of 2-4-302, MCA, do not apply.

 

 

 

 

/s/  Francis X. Clinch                         /s/  Anna Whiting Sorrell                              

Rule Reviewer                                    Anna Whiting Sorrell, Director

                                                             Public Health and Human Services

           

Certified to the Secretary of State July 6, 2010.

 

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