2.__Just cause.__For the purposes of a claimant's failure to appear at a fair hearing, examples of "just cause" include:

A.__A death or serious illness in the family;

B.__A personal illness that reasonably prevents the claimant from attending the hearing;

C.__An emergency or unforeseen event that reasonably prevents the claimant from attending the hearing;

D.__An obligation or responsibility that a reasonable person in the conduct of that person's affairs could reasonably conclude takes precedence over the attendance at the hearing; or

E.__Lack of receipt of adequate or timely notice, excusable neglect, excusable inadvertence or excusable mistake.

If the claimant establishes just cause, the request for the hearing must be reinstated and a hearing rescheduled.

3.__Authority of legal counsel when claimant fails to appear.__In the event that a claimant who is represented by legal counsel fails to appear at a fair hearing, legal counsel may not testify in place of the claimant on matters of fact but may cross-examine witnesses and make legal arguments on behalf of the claimant.

SUMMARY

The purpose of this bill is to clarify existing municipal general assistance laws in order to facilitate administration of and applicant access to the general assistance program. Specifically, the bill makes the following changes.

1. It clarifies that information may be disclosed to law enforcement officers, emergency respondents or municipal officials who are acting in an official capacity while maintaining confidentiality.