DHHS has announced: “Following the original publication of the proposed rulemaking documents, on or about July 5, 2020, more than five individuals requested a public hearing.  Pursuant to 5 M.R.S. § 8052, the Department has scheduled said hearing and extended the comment period to August 20, 2020.”

The hearing will be held Monday, August 10, 2020, from 1 to 4 p.m. It will be conducted virtually. 

DHHS stated: “Anyone wishing to attend should join the Microsoft Teams live event accessible at https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MThmN2Q2ODUtNTQzMy00ZjMyLTg5N2YtYmFiYjNlMzdmZjM1%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22413fa8ab-207d-4b62-9bcd-ea1a8f2f864e%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22f89346ba-710d-4ff8-8766-4d52c4172faf%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d.  Some devices will require that a free app from Microsoft be downloaded prior to joining the event. Those wishing to provide oral comments must call 1 (855) 797-4357 and select option 9 during the hearing. The Department requests that any interested party requiring special arrangements to attend the hearing contact the agency person listed below before Monday, August 3, 2020.”

You can also submit written comments on the program through 5 p.m. on August 20, 2020. You can email them to Julian Baer, Senior Program Manager – TANF/ASPIRE, Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence, Julian.Baer@Maine.gov .

The rules are available on the Office for Family Independence website.  MPBP’s public comments detail a long list of problems with the draft rules. You can also read the Mills Administration’s Request for Proposals for the $6 million “Working Cars for Working Families” program (202006105), which provides more insight into the program, much of which is not included in the rules but should be.