39-12-103. (Temporary) Montana HELP Act workforce development -- participation -- providers -- allowable activities -- report. (1) The department shall provide individuals receiving assistance for health care services pursuant to Title 53, chapter 6, part 13, with the option of taking part in a workforce development program to allow the participant to increase the participant's earning capacity and economic stability.

(2) The department shall:

(a) assist program participants with completion of an employment or reemployment assessment; and

(b) contract with one or more private nonprofit or for-profit entities to provide workforce development services. The services must emphasize training in high-demand occupations, particularly in the health care field and in short-term certification programs for entry-level cybersecurity analysts.

(3) Allowable workforce development services include:

(a) education and training; and

(b) supportive services that assist a program participant with the items or services necessary to participate in the workforce, including but not limited to supportive services involving clothing, transportation, and equipment needed to obtain or maintain employment.

(4) Entities contracting to provide workforce development services shall report quarterly to the department on the activities provided. At a minimum, the entities shall report on:

(a) the number of clients enrolled in program activities and co-enrolled in other workforce programs;

(b) the types of services provided;

(c) the number of clients who attained a credential or gained a measurable skill;

(d) the number of clients who exited the program;

(e) the number of clients who exited the program to employment;

(f) the number of clients who continued enrollment in the program;

(g) the amount and type of outreach the entity has done to recruit program participants; and

(h) the amount of money spent directly on participants.

(5) (a) The department shall notify the department of public health and human services when a participant has received all services and assistance under subsection (1) that can reasonably be provided to the individual.

(b) The department is not required to provide further services under this section after it has provided the notification provided for in subsection (5)(a).

(c) A participant who is no longer receiving services under this section does not meet the criteria of 53-6-1307(6)(c) for the exemption granted under 53-6-1307(6).

(6) The department shall report the following information to the legislative finance committee and the children, families, health, and human services interim committee in accordance with 5-11-210:

(a) the activities undertaken to establish the employer grant program provided for in 39-12-106;

(b) the number of employers receiving grant awards and the number and types of activities, training, or jobs the employers provided; and

(c) the services provided and the total cost of providing workforce development services under this chapter, including related administrative costs.

(7) To the extent possible, the department of public health and human services shall offset the cost of workforce development activities provided under this section by using temporary assistance for needy families reserve funds.

(8) The department shall reduce fraud, waste, and abuse in determining and reviewing eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits by enhancing technology system support to provide knowledge-based authentication for verifying the identity and employment status of individuals seeking benefits, including the use of public records to confirm identity and to flag changes in demographics. (Terminates June 30, 2025--secs. 38, 48, Ch. 415, L. 2019.)