Ch. 491                                    1995 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(II) A VOLUNTEER GROUP: OR

(III) A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION THAT IS EXEMPT FROM TAXATION
UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.

(12) THE SECRETARY SHALL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE ABILITY OF THE
THIRD PARTY TO PURCHASE SERVICES, SUPPLIES. AND EQUIPMENT AT A DISCOUNTED
RATE OR IN BULK QUANTITIES AND TO RECEIVE DONATED ITEMS FOR THE BENEFIT OF
AN AFDC RECIPIENT, IN CONSIDERING A THIRD PARTY FOR APPROVAL UNDER THIS
SUBSECTION.

(13) NO PORTION OF THE FUNDS PROVIDED THROUGH TRANSITIONAL
ASSISTANCE MAY BE USED FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF SECTARIAN RELIGIOUS
INSTRUCTION.

(G) (H) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL, AS APPROPRIATE, REFER THE
RECIPIENT TO FAMILY PLANNING COUNSELING AND SERVICES REFERRALS
COUNSELING AND SERVICES.

(2)     FAMILY PLANNING COUNSELING AND SERVICES REFERRALS
COUNSELING AND SERVICES MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR CONDUCTED IN A MANNER
THAT:

(I)      WILL HAVE A COERCIVE EFFECT ON THE RECIPIENT; OR

(II)    WILL VIOLATE THE RECIPIENT'S BONA FIDE RELIGIOUS
BELIEFS AND PRACTICES OR CONFIDENTIALITY.

(3)     THE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
MENTAL HYGIENE SHALL PROVIDE FAMILY PLANNING COUNSELING AND SERVICES
REFERRALS AT THE OFFICES OF LOCAL DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL SERVICES. THESE
SERVICES MAY BE PROVIDED THROUGH MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS.

(H) (I) THE SECRETARY SHALL REVISE THE SCHEDULE OF PROGRAM
ASSISTANCE TO ALLOW, ONCE ELIGIBILITY FOR A RECIPIENT IS OTHERWISE
ESTABLISHED, THAT THE RECIPIENT WILL NOT LOSE ELIGIBILITY SOLELY BECAUSE
ONE OR MORE WAGE EARNERS IN THE FAMILY UNIT WORKS MORE THAN 100 HOURS
PER MONTH.

(I) (J) THE SECRETARY SHALL REVISE THE RULES OF ELIGIBILITY TO
PERMIT TWO-PARENT FAMILIES TO BE EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENT THAT
THE PRINCIPAL WAGE EARNER MUST HAVE WORKED FOR A SPECIFIED TIME PRIOR
TO APPLYING FOR AFDC.

(K) THE SECRETARY SHALL REVISE THE SCHEDULE OF PROGRAM
ASSISTANCE SO THAT:

(1) COUNTABLE EARNED INCOME UNDER THE AFDC PROGRAM IS
SUBTRACTED FROM THE SUM OF FULL STATE AFDC STANDARD OF NEED SPECIFIED
IN THE REGULATIONS RELATED TO THE MARYLAND STANDARDS OF NEED FOR
AFDC AND AFDC-UP AND ALLOWABLE AMOUNTS TO BE PAID BASED ON AVAILABLE
FUNDS: AND

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