§ 5-310.1. Earned Income Disregard Pilot Program(Abrogation of section effective September 30, 2017.)

   (a) "Pilot Program" defined. -- In this section, "Pilot Program" means the Earned Income Disregard Pilot Program established under this section.

(b) Program established. -- There is an Earned Income Disregard Pilot Program within the FIP.

(c) In general. --

   (1) The Department shall select one county that has more than one district office to participate in the Pilot Program.

   (2) The Department may select one rural county to participate in the Pilot Program.

   (3) The Department and the appropriate local directors shall:

      (i) select and assign eligible individuals to the Pilot Program; and

      (ii) inform selected participants of the assignment.

   (4) To be eligible to participate in the Pilot Program an individual:

      (i) may not receive temporary cash assistance between May 1, 2014, and September 30, 2014; and

      (ii) shall apply and qualify for temporary cash assistance on or after October 1, 2014.

(d) Administration. -- Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, the county participating in the Pilot Program shall administer the FIP in accordance with this subtitle.

(e) Amount of assistance. --

   (1) Notwithstanding § 5-310(a) of this subtitle, for applicants to the FIP who are selected to participate in the Pilot Program, the amount of assistance shall be computed by counting no more than 4 weeks of earned income in any month and disregarding 20% of that earned income.

   (2) Notwithstanding § 5-310(a) of this subtitle, for FIP recipients who are selected to participate in the Pilot Program who obtain unsubsidized employment and work less than 25 hours a week, the amount of assistance shall be computed by counting no more than 4 weeks of earned income in any month and disregarding 40% of that earned income.

   (3) Notwithstanding § 5-310(a) of this subtitle, for FIP recipients who are selected to participate in the Pilot Program who obtain unsubsidized employment and work at least 25 hours a week, the amount of assistance shall be computed by counting no more than 4 weeks of earned income in any month and disregarding:

      (i) 100% of that earned income for the first 3 months of employment;

      (ii) 60% of that earned income for employment exceeding 3 months, but less than 10 months; and

      (iii) 40% of that earned income for employment exceeding 9 months.

(f) Information collection; reports. -- The Department shall:

   (1) collect information necessary to assess the effectiveness of the Pilot Program, including:

      (i) the number of clients receiving FIP benefits after receiving benefits under the Pilot Program;

      (ii) the number of clients working for an employer covered by Maryland unemployment insurance; and

      (iii) whether the clients made progress in their quarterly earnings; and

   (2) (i) on or before September 30, 2016, submit an interim report of its findings to the Senate Finance Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, and the Joint Committee on Welfare Reform, in accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article; and

      (ii) on or before September 30, 2017, submit a final report of its findings to the Senate Finance Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, and the Joint Committee on Welfare Reform, in accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article.

(g) Regulations. -- The Department shall adopt any regulations necessary to implement this section.