Maine § 22. - Electronic benefit transfer system established

§ 22.. Electronic benefit transfer system established

The department is authorized to establish an electronic benefits transfer system for the issuance of benefits under the statewide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program under section 3104, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program under chapter 1053‑B, the Women, Infants and Children Special Supplemental Food Program of the federal Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Parents as Scholars and Medicaid programs and for child care subsidies under chapter 1052‑A; all recipients of benefits under these programs or another program approved for addition under subsection 2 must participate in the EBT system.   [PL 2021, c. 398, Pt. OO, §4 (AMD).]

1.  Rulemaking.  In accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, the department shall adopt rules required for implementation of this subchapter. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II‑A.

2.  Other programs.  The department may add other programs to the EBT system if approved for addition by their respective departments, as long as rules are adopted by the department and other departments for the administration of and delivery of benefits under those programs.

3.  Participation. 

4.  Restriction.  The following requirements apply prior to implementation of the EBT system and as applied to each program using the EBT system:

A. The department and other departments must determine that use of the EBT system will not decrease benefits or result in unreasonable costs to the recipients; and   [PL 1995, c. 675, §1 (NEW).]

B. The department and other departments must successfully complete a request-for-proposals evaluation and contract negotiations that ensure that the EBT system will be cost-effective for the individual program.   [PL 1995, c. 675, §1 (NEW).]