§4318. Recovery of expenses

A municipality or the State, which has incurred general assistance program costs for the support of any eligible person, may recover the full amount expended for that support either from the person relieved or from any person liable for the recipient's support, their executors or administrators, in a civil action. In no case may a municipality or the State be authorized to recover through a civil action, the full or part of, the amount expended for the support of a previously eligible person, if, as a result of the repayment of that amount, this person would, in all probability, again become eligible for general assistance.   [PL 1985, c. 489, §§8, 14 (RPR).]

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, municipalities have a lien for the value of all general assistance payments made to a recipient on any lump sum payment made to that recipient under the former Workers' Compensation Act, the Maine Workers' Compensation Act of 1992 or similar law of any other state.   [PL 1995, c. 462, Pt. A, §44 (AMD).]

The department shall enter into an agreement with the Social Security Administration to institute an interim assistance reimbursement for the purpose of the repayment of state and local funds expended for providing assistance to Supplemental Security Income applicants or recipients while the Supplemental Security Income payments are pending or suspended. Written authorization must be given by the recipients.   [PL 1991, c. 780, Pt. R, §5 (AMD).]

1.  Repayment.

[PL 1985, c. 489, §§8, 14 (RP).]

2.  Public assistance.

[PL 1985, c. 489, §§8, 14 (RP).]

A municipality may not recover from any recipient who has been injured while performing work under section 4316-A, subsection 2, any portion of any medical or rehabilitative expenses associated with that injury or any portion of any other general assistance benefits associated with that injury.   [PL 1991, c. 9, Pt. U, §15 (AMD).]

Nothing in this section may be construed as limiting or affecting in any way the right of any individual to file an action under the Maine Tort Claims Act, Title 14, chapter 741, except that a municipality that provides general assistance to a minor is absolutely immune from suit on any tort claims seeking recovery or damages by or on behalf of the minor recipient in connection with the provision of general assistance.   [PL 1991, c. 9, Pt. U, §15 (AMD).]

All collections, fees and payments received by the department from the Federal Government as a result of an interim assistance reimbursement must be dedicated to support the administration of the General Assistance program.   [PL 1993, c. 415, Pt. H, §1 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1983, c. 577, §1 (NEW). PL 1985, c. 489, §§8,14 (RPR). PL 1987, c. 67 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 9, §U15 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 622, §M27 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 780, §R5 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 415, §H1 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 462, §A44 (AMD).