§5–313.

    (a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section and in regulations that the Secretary adopts, a local department may not pay temporary cash assistance to:

        (1)    a family that includes an adult who has received more than 60 cumulative months of temporary cash assistance funded wholly or partly by federal funds; or

        (2)    a family that includes an adult who:

            (i)    has received more than 24 cumulative months of temporary cash assistance funded wholly or partly by federal funds; and

            (ii)    is not participating in a work activity.

    (b)    The Secretary shall adopt regulations that establish:

        (1)    standards and procedures under which a local department may exempt a family from the limitation under subsection (a)(1) of this section because of hardship; and

        (2)    a separate State program that:

            (i)    is funded entirely from State general funds that may be counted toward any federal maintenance of effort requirement;

            (ii)    pays temporary cash assistance to a family that is exempted under item (1) of this subsection but cannot receive federal funds because of federal limitations; and

            (iii)    is subject to all FIP requirements under this subtitle.

    (c)    The provisions of this section are subject to federal law and regulation.