|
SECTION 33. Subsection (D) of section 2 of chapter 18 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out all provisions in lines 94 through 133 inclusive, and inserting in place thereof the following:- Subject to appropriation, the department shall administer a program of emergency assistance to needy families with children and pregnant women with no other children. A needy family shall be eligible for assistance only if its income is at or below 100 per cent of the federal poverty level. The department is authorized to provide emergency shelter for homeless families. The department shall promulgate rules and regulations to establish eligibility requirements, services and level of benefits available under the program, and shall amend such rules and regulations as necessary to ensure that expenditures under the emergency assistance program do not exceed the level of funds appropriated for the program during the fiscal year. The department may, in its discretion, develop and implement pilot programs designed to improve the effectiveness of its programs serving homeless families and individuals. The department shall convert the scattered-site housing model to one where adult family members shall participate in work-related activities and the maximum length of stay shall be limited, as defined by the department in regulation. The department may also use funds appropriated to the accounts for homeless families or individuals to pay for supportive services to these families or individuals, including services provided under the employment services program. |