The authority may select local program operators as long as they comply with the program operating standards established by the authority by rule in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act. The authority, by rule, shall provide, at a minimum, the following standards that apply to local program operators and administrators: [1991, c. 622, Pt. J, §23(NEW); 1991, c. 622, Pt. J, §25(AFF).]
1.Accounting and bookkeeping standards. Standards that require generally accepted accounting and bookkeeping procedures that meet the requirements of the Federal Government and the authority; [1991, c. 622, Pt. J, §23(NEW); 1991, c. 622, Pt. J, §25(AFF).]
2.Conflict of interest standards. Standards that prohibit conflicts of interest by local program operators and administrators. These standards must, at a minimum, meet the standards that apply to Legislators as defined in Title 1, section 1014; [1991, c. 622, Pt. J, §23(NEW); 1991, c. 622, Pt. J, §25(AFF).]
3.Confidentiality standards. Standards requiring the adherence of the local program operators to confidentiality with respect to program recipients; [1991, c. 622, Pt. J, §23(NEW); 1991, c. 622, Pt. J, §25(AFF).]
4.Availability standards. Standards requiring local program operators and administrators to be available to the general public for a minimum specified period of time each week; [2021, c. 588, §1(AMD).]
5.Expeditious provision of assistance standards. Standards that ensure that qualified program recipients are expeditiously provided with assistance by the local program operator or administrator; and [2021, c. 588, §2(AMD).]
6.Application. Standards that, beginning no later than the 2022-23 winter season, require local program operators and administrators to accept online applications for the fuel assistance program. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. [2021, c. 588, §3(NEW).]
A person who the authority finds to be in violation of the standards adopted by the authority pursuant to this section may be prohibited from acting as a local program operator or administrator of the fuel assistance program. [1991, c. 622, Pt. J, §23(NEW); 1991, c. 622, Pt. J, §25(AFF).]
Amended by 2022, c. 588,§ 3, eff. 4/12/2022.Amended by 2022, c. 588,§ 2, eff. 4/12/2022.Amended by 2022, c. 588,§ 1, eff. 4/12/2022.1991, c. 622, §J23 (NEW) . 1991, c. 622, §J25 (AFF) .