Resolve, To Establish the Commission To Identify the Opportunities to Decrease the Occurrence of Developmental Disabilities and Childhood Mental Health Challenges
Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 1364
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: LERMAN, CRAVEN, EARLE, HUTION, KANE, MARLEY

Legislative Document 
No. 1364 
H.P.999 
House of Representatives, March 18,2003 
Resolve, To Establish the Commission To Identify the Opportunities 
to Decrease the Occurrence of Developmental Disabilities and 
Childhood Mental Health Challenges 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative LERMAN of Augusta. 
'77/~/J7.~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Cosponsored by Representatives: CRAVEN of Lewiston, EARLE of Damariscotta, HUTION 
of Bowdoinham, KANE of Saco, MARLEY of Portland, W ALCOIT of Lewiston. 
Printed on recycled paper 
Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: 
That the Commission 
to 
Identify the Opportunities 
to 
Decrease 
the 
Occurrence 
of 
Developmental 
Disabilities 
and 
Childhood 
Mental 
Health 
Challenges, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is 
established; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: 
That the commission 
consists of 14 members appointed as follows: 
1. 
Five members appointed by the President of the Senate as 
follows: 
A. 
One member of the Senate. 
When making this appointment, 
the President of the Senate shall give preference to 
a 
member serving on the Joint Standing Committee on health and 
Human Services; 
B. 
A representative from the Department of Behavioral and 
Developmental Services; 
C. 
A 
parent 
of 
an 
individual 
with 
a 
developmental 
disability; 
D. 
A representative from the March of Dimes; and 
E. 
A representative from the National Association for the 
Mentally III of Maine; 
2. 
Eight members appointed by the Speaker of the House as 
follows: 
A. 
Three members of the House of Representatives. 
When 
making these appointments, the Speaker of the House shall 
give preference to members serving on the Joint Standing 
Committee on Health and Human Services; 
B. 
A representative from the Department of Human Services; 
C. 
A parent of an individual with a mental health challenge; 
D. 
A representative from the Maine Parent Federation; 
E. 
A representative of the Maine Children's Alliance; and 
F. 
A representative from the Autism Society of Maine; and 
3. 
One member appointed by the Governor as follows: 
A. 
A representative from the Children's Cabinet; and be it 
further 
Page l-LR0894(1) 
Sec. 3. Chairs. 
Senate chair of the 
Resolved: 
That 
commission and 
the 
the 
Senate 
member 
is 
first-named House 
the 
of 
Representatives member is the House chair of the commission; and 
be it further 
Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of commission. Resolved: 
That 
all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the 
effective date of this resolve. 
The appointing authorities shall 
notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all 
appointments 
have 
been 
completed. 
Within 
days 
after 
appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the 
first meeting of the commission; and be it further 
Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: 
That the commission shall gather 
information from public and private entities and from parents of 
children 
with 
developmental 
disabilities 
and 
mental 
health 
challenges to identify opportunities to decrease the occurrence 
of 
developmental 
disabilities 
and 
childhood 
mental 
health 
challenges, to set goals and to review the effectiveness of early 
intervention programs; and be it further 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: 
That, upon approval of the 
Legislative Council, 
the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis 
shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission; and 
be it further 
Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: 
That legislative members are 
entitled to receive the legislative per diem and reimbursement 
for travel and other necessary expenses for their attendance at 
authorized 
meetings 
of 
the 
commission. 
Public 
members 
not 
otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities whom 
they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary 
expenses and, upon a demonstration of financial hardship, a per 
diem equal to the legislative per diem for their attendance at 
authorized meetings of the commission; and be it further 
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: 
That the commission shall submit a 
report that includes its findings and recommendations, including 
suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Health 
and Human Services and the Legislative Council by January 15, 
2004. 
The commission is authorized to introduce legislation. 
Following receipt and review of the report, the Joint Standing 
Committee on Health and Human Services may report out a bill to 
the Second Regular Session of the l2lst Legislature; and be it 
further 
Sec. 9. Extension. Resolved: 
That, if the commission requires 
a limited extension of time to complete its study and make its 
report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant 
an extension; and be it further 
Sec. 10. Commission budget. Resolved: 
That the chairs of the 
commission, 
with assistance 
from 
the commission staff, 
shall 
administer the commission I s budget. 
Within 10 days after its 
first meeting, 
the commission shall present a 
work plan and 
proposed budget to the Legislative Council for its approval. 
The 
commission may 
not incur 
expenses that would result in the 
commission I s exceeding its approved budget. 
Upon request from 
the commission, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council 
shall promptly provide the commission chairs and staff with a 
status report on the commission budget, expenditures incurred and 
paid and available funds. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the 
Commission to Identify the 
Opportuni ties 
to 
Decrease 
the 
Occurrence 
of 
Developmental 
Disabilities and Childhood Mental Health Challenges