39-12-103. (Temporary -- effective on occurrence of contingency) Montana HELP Act workforce development -- participation -- report. (1) The department shall provide individuals receiving assistance for health care services pursuant to Title 53, chapter 6, part 13, with the option of participating in an employment or reemployment assessment and in the workforce development program provided for in 39-12-101. The assessment must identify any probable barriers to employment that exist for the member.
     (2) (a) The department shall notify the department of public health and human services when a participant has received all services and assistance under subsection (1) that can reasonably be provided to the individual.
     (b) The department is not required to provide further services under this section after it has provided the notification provided for in subsection (2)(a).
     (c) A participant who is no longer receiving services under this section does not meet the criteria of 53-6-1307(6)(c) for the exemption granted under 53-6-1307(6).
     (3) The department shall report the following information to the oversight committee provided for in 53-6-1316:
     (a) the activities undertaken to establish a workforce development program for program participants; and
     (b) the number of participants in the workforce development program and the number of participants who have obtained employment or higher-paying employment.
     (4) To the extent possible, the department of public health and human services shall offset the cost of workforce development activities provided under this section by using temporary assistance for needy families reserve funds.
     (5) The department shall reduce fraud, waste, and abuse in determining and reviewing eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits by enhancing technology system support to provide knowledge-based authentication for verifying the identity and employment status of individuals seeking benefits, including the use of public records to confirm identity and to flag changes in demographics. (Terminates June 30, 2019--sec. 28, Ch. 368, L. 2015.)

     History: En. Sec. 16, Ch. 368, L. 2015.