Ch. 351

1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(3) DETERMINE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY AND NOTIFY APPLICANTS AND
RECIPIENTS OF ELIGIBILTY DECISIONS;

(4) SOLICIT PARTICIPATION OF PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS, NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS, CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, AND
INSTITUTIONS OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION;

(5)     TRAIN INTERESTED AND CAPABLE RECIPIENTS TO WORK AS CHILD
CARE PROVIDERS;

(6)     ADMINISTER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE;

(7) ACHIEVE THE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS OF TITLE IV, PART A,
OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT; AND

(8) MAINTAIN RECORDS AND REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT AS THE
DEPARTMENT DIRECTS.

(B) (1) (A) IN PROVIDING ASSISTANCE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE, THE LOCAL
DEPARTMENT MAY CONTRACT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, PRIVATE
ORGANIZATIONS, RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, AND INSTITUTIONS OF
POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION.

(2)     (I) (B) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS
PARAGRAPH SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION, A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION MAY
PARTICIPATE IN THE FAMILY INVESTMENT PROGRAM ON THE SAME BASIS AS ANY
OTHER NONGOVERNMENTAL ENTITY.

(II) (C) AN INDIVIDUAL MAY NOT BE REQUIRED TO ACCEPT
ASSISTANCE FROM A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION IF ACCEPTANCE WOULD VIOLATE
THE INDIVIDUAL'S BONA FIDE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES.

(C) (1) EACH YEAR THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ALLOCATE TO EACH LOCAL
DEPARTMENT FUNDS THAT THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT SHALL USE TO DEVELOP A
PROGRAM TO MEET THE UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES AND NEEDS OF THE LOCAL
JURISDICTION.

(2)     FUNDS ALLOCATED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE
USED FOR;

(I) CHILD CARE;

(II) WORK ACTIVITIES;

(III) WELFARE AVOIDANCE;

(IV) EMERGENCY FUNDS;

(V) ADMINISTRATION; AND

(VI) OTHER SERVICES THAT THE SECRETARY DEEMS APPROPRIATE
FOR THE PROGRAM.

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