1. (1) There is a Montana HELP Act employer grant program to encourage employers to hire or train program participants in skills that will allow them to:

   1. (a) obtain new or improved employment;
   2. (b) obtain employment with health care benefits;
   3. (c) earn a wage that allows them to purchase their own health insurance coverage; or
   4. (d) improve their long-term financial security.

2. (2) The department shall establish criteria for awarding grants. The criteria must take into consideration, at a minimum, the number of program participants affected and the likelihood that the proposed grant activity will improve:

   1. (a) the chances that program participants will succeed in obtaining employment meeting the goals of subsection (1); or

   2. (b) the financial security of program participants through efforts that include:

      1. (i) financial and credit counseling; and
      2. (ii) educational opportunities related to managing finances and setting and reaching financial goals.
3. (3) The department shall adopt rules establishing grant application, evaluation, and award criteria and processes.

History: En. Sec. 7, Ch. 415, L. 2019.