53-4-209. Montana parents as scholars program -- department duties. (1) There is a Montana parents as scholars program administered by the department.
     (2) The department shall:
     (a) use state maintenance of effort funds or temporary assistance for needy families funds, to the extent practicable, in a program to provide public assistance only to eligible individuals for the purpose of continuation of education leading toward a high school diploma, a general equivalency degree, an associate's degree, or a baccalaureate degree;
     (b) establish or coordinate a skills training center pilot program in coordination with the board of regents or a community college district to provide training to individuals identified as appropriate through an assessment process;
     (c) allow an individual receiving public assistance from the program to attend an approved educational program if the individual:
     (i) has completed an employee assessment conducted as provided by rule;
     (ii) meets the income and resource eligibility requirements;
     (iii) qualifies as a full-time student pursuant to subsection (4); and
     (iv) completes a 180-hour work activity requirement in a 12-month period that may include work study, internships, or paid employment;
     (d) limit approved educational programs to educational courses that are intended to promote economic self-sufficiency, not to exceed the baccalaureate level or one vocational training program; and
     (e) amend the state plan submitted to the United States department of health and human services to provide that the state elects, as authorized by 42 U.S.C. 602(a)(1)(A)(ii), to define work as including all activities permitted under 42 U.S.C. 607 and satisfactory full-time school attendance.
     (3) The department shall provide for dependent day care while the recipient is in a work activity.
     (4) A program must require a recipient to be a full-time student, which means a recipient:
     (a) shall maintain enrollment in at least 12 credit hours each semester or 30 credit hours a year;
     (b) shall maintain a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 grade point scale;
     (c) shall cooperate with paternity and child support requirements;
     (d) shall agree to relocate after graduation, if necessary, to seek employment in a job for which the education was intended; and
     (e) may not be allowed to remain in the program after receiving a baccalaureate degree.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 184, L. 2005.