An Act To Establish the Acquired Brain Injury Advisory· Council
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1909
Amends: 5 MRSA §12004-I, 34-B MRSA §19001

Legislative Document 
No. 1909 
S.P.709 
May 16,2007 
An Act To Establish the Acquired Brain Injury Advisory· Council 
Reported by Senator BRANNIGAN of Cumberland for the Joint Standing Committee on 
Health and Human Services pursuant to Joint Order 2006, S.P. 699. 
Printed on recycled paper 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§47-G is enacted to read: 
47-G. 
Human 
Services 
Acquired Brain 
Injury Advisory 
Council 
Expenses Only 
Sec. 2. 34-B MRSA c. 19 is enacted to read: 
CHAPTER 19 
ADVISORY COUNCILS 
§19001. Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Council 
34-B MRSA 
§19001 
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1. Council established. The Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Council referred to in 
this section as "the council," is established to provide independent oversight and advice 
and to make recommendations to the commissioner, the Director of the Office of Adults 
with Cognitive and Physical Disability Services within the department, the Director of the 
IS 
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention within the department and the Director 
of the Office of MaineCare Services within the department. 
2. Duties. The council shall: 
A. 
Identify issues related to brain injury, ·including prevention and the needs of 
individuals with disabilities due to brain injuries and the needs of their families; 
B. 
Recommend methods that will enhance health and well-being, promote 
independence and self-sufficiency, protect and care for those at risk and provide 
effective and efficient methods of prevention, service and support; 
C. Seek information from the broadest range of stakeholders, including persons with 
brain injuries, their families, rehabilitation experts, providers of services and the 
public, and hold at least 2 public hearings annually, in different regions of the State, 
to generate input on unmet needs; 
D. Review the status and effectiveness of the array of brain injury programs, services 
and prevention efforts provided in this State and recommend to the commissioner 
priorities and criteria for disbursement of available appropriations; and 
E. Meet at least 4 times per year and by January 15th of each year submit a report of 
its activities and recommendations to the commissioner and to the Legislature. 
3. Administrative support. The manager of brain injury services in the Office of 
Adults with Cognitive and Physical Disability Services within the department shall 
provide administrative support to the council. 
4. Membership. The commissioner shall appoint 16 persons to serve as members of 
the council and shall annually appoint one person to serve as chair. Members serve 2-year 
terms. Members must represent the following persons and interests: 
A. Two members with acquired brain injuries must represent persons with acquired 
brain injuries; 
B. Two members must represent families of persons with acquired brain injuries; 
C. Two members must represent advocates for persons with acquired brain injuries; 
D. Five members must represent providers of services to persons with acquired brain 
injuries; and 
E. 
Five members must represent state agencies with expertise in the areas of 
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education, employment, prevention of brain injuries, homelessness, corrections and 
services to veterans. Members of the council who represent state agencies serve ex 
officio, without the right to vote, and shall provide data, information and expertise to 
the council. 
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5. Expenses. Members of the council serve without compensation but are entitled to 
reimbursement of reasonable expenses for attending meetings of and serving on the 
council. 
Sec. 3. Staggered terms. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 
34-B, section 1900 I, subsection 4, 8 of the initial members appointed to the Acquired 
Brain Injury Advisory Council serve 2-year terms and 8 serve 3-year terms. 
SUMMARY 
This bill establishes the Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Council to provide oversight 
and advice and to make recommendations to the Commissioner of Health and Human 
Services and the Director of the Office of Adults with Cognitive and Physical Disability 
Services, the Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the 
Director of the Office of MaineCare Services within the Department of Health and 
Human Services. 
FISCAL ;\OIE REQLIRED 
(See attached) 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 05/07/07 frac::. 
LD 
LR 2667(01) 
An Act To Establish the Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Council 
Fiscal Note for Original Bill 
Committee: Health and Human Services 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Any additional costs to the Department of Health and Human Services can be absorbed by the department utilizing 
existing budget resources. 
LR2667(01) - Fiscal Note - Page I of I