Date posted:
Attachment(s):
The Following Rule is Proposed:
10-144 C.M.R. Chapter 303; Office for Family Independence SupportLink Program Rule #1
Principal Reason(s) or Purpose for Proposing this Rule [see 5 M.R.S. § 8057-A(1)(A)]: The Department proposes a new rule, 10-144 C.M.R. Chapter 303; Office for Family Independence SupportLink Program Rule #1 consistent with a legislative change to 22 M.R.S. § 3110 made by P.L. 2023, ch. 412, Pt. VV, § 1. The proposed rule would establish regulations and standards for an optional referral process between the Department and other agencies known as an “Information Exchange.” The purpose of this program is to provide applicant and recipient information to help establish potential eligibility for other programs. The Information Exchange will provide timely transfer of income records and program enrollment information to other state agencies, quasi-state agencies or other entities approved by the Department for purposes of the administration and application for the low-income home energy assistance program; low-income assistance programs, local, state or federal subsidized housing program; and an energy efficiency program administered by an entity approved by the Department or any other entity or program, that in the judgement of the Department, provides services or resources that substantially promote the health and well-being of recipients of its services.
The implementation of an optional income and enrollment referral process to programs for which individuals may be eligible would increase the number of individuals served by the Department who are enrolled in other services that substantially promote health and well-being. The proposed rule is authorized by 22 M.R.S. § 3110.
The Department considered information gathered from three stakeholder meetings convened between December 2023 and March 2024. In addition, the Department considered similar client authorization processes implemented in Connecticut and Massachusetts. In addition, the Department considered a legislative change to 22 M.R.S. § 3110 made by P.L. 2023, ch. 412, Pt. VV, § 1.
Public Hearing(s): No public hearing is scheduled.
Comment Deadline(s): Monday, March 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Written public comments may be submitted via the link at https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/about/rulemaking.
Name, Address, Telephone Number, and Email Address of Agency Contact Person:
Liz Ray, Associate Director, Policy and Programs
DHHS – OFI, 109 Capitol St., Augusta, ME 04333-0011
(207) 215-0725
Proposed
Office: Office for Family Independence
Routine technical
Email: Liz.Ray@maine.gov
Comment deadline:
On