(1) The administering entity shall:
(a) Develop formal memorandums of understanding with service providers
and guidelines for the operation of the program in coordination with the director;
(b) Establish procedures and guidelines for reimbursing service providers in
accordance with the terms of the memorandums of understanding;
(c) Reimburse service providers up to four hundred dollars per year for each
eligible individual to whom the service provider delivered services authorized for
reimbursement pursuant to subsection (5) of this section;
(d) Ensure the fiscal responsibility of the program in conjunction with the
director;
(e) Participate in evaluation activities as required by the director; and
(f) Be responsible for all other requirements outlined by the director.
(2) A service provider shall:
(a) Submit reports as specified by the administering entity that outline the
type of service provided, reason for the service, basic demographics of the eligible
individual, and geographic location where the service was provided; and
(b) Participate in an analysis process throughout the service provider's
participation in the program.
(3) The administering entity must not reimburse a service provider for
expenses incurred to provide employment preparation, job training, employment
pursuit, or job retention activities to an eligible individual if the services are
currently provided to the individual by another source.
(4) Notwithstanding any other federal or state law, in order to be eligible to
receive services for which a service provider may be reimbursed under the program,
an individual must:
(a) (I) Have a household income at or below the federal poverty line; or
(II) If employed:
(A) Have been employed for six months or less before the date upon which
assistance is requested; and
(B) Within ninety days before the employment start date, have had a
household income at or below the federal poverty line.
(b) Be at least sixteen years of age;
(c) Be eligible to work in the United States; and
(d) Be underemployed or unemployed and actively pursuing employment,
employment preparation, job training, or job retention activities, with the assistance
of a service provider.
(5) (a) The administering entity may reimburse a service provider for
expenses incurred in providing:
(I) Employment support services to an eligible individual to assist with an
individual's employment, employment preparation, or job training goals; and
(II) Services to assist an eligible individual with ongoing job retention for up
to six months after the date of employment.
(b) Employment support, training, education, and job retention services that
are eligible for reimbursement include:
(I) Costs related to transportation, vehicle upkeep and operation, and
parking;
(II) Emergency child care;
(III) Emergency housing;
(IV) Fees related to employment preparation, job training, employment
pursuit, or job retention activities;
(V) Work tools and equipment, including computers, digital devices, and
costs associated with internet connectivity;
(VI) Food and nutrition;
(VII) Utility, telephone, and internet bills;
(VIII) Prepaid cell phones;
(IX) Licenses and certifications;
(X) Legal services and fees related to employment;
(XI) Language, communication, interpretation, and translation expenses;
(XII) Emergency and work-related medical, behavioral, and mental health,
dental, and vision services and expenses that impede an individual's ability to
prepare for, obtain, or retain employment; and
(XIII) Other expenses as they pertain to employment preparation, job
training, employment pursuit, education, or job retention services as determined by
the director.
(6) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the selection of, and
payments to, service providers for services pursuant to the program are not subject
to the Procurement Code, articles 101 to 112 of title 24.