HOUSE BILL NO. 650

INTRODUCED BY T. FACEY

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT APPROPRIATING ADDITIONAL TANF BLOCK GRANT FUNDS FOR ADULT BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE."

WHEREAS, the funds appropriated are intended as an enhancement to existing programs and are necessary because Families Achieving Independence in Montana (FAIM) financial assistance participants who have multiple barriers to employment need additional instructional time and longer training periods to complete the programs; and

WHEREAS, there has been an increased number of referrals to the adult basic education programs because of the work requirements and time-limited benefits of FAIM financial assistance; and

WHEREAS, the amount of $94,750 for each year of the biennium budgeted by the Department of Public Health and Human Services is inadequate, and additional funds of $100,000 a year are needed.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

NEW SECTION. Section 1. Appropriation. There is appropriated an additional $100,000 from the federal temporary assistance to needy families (TANF) block grant funds to the department of public health and human services for each year of the biennium for the purposes of enhancing the adult basic education program for FAIM financial assistance participants through the office of public instruction. The funds are to be used to provide adult basic education, adult literacy programs, and learning disability assessment, identification, and followup services for FAIM financial assistance participants.

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 1999.

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