Resolve, To Create the Blue Ribbon Commission To Study the Future of Home-based and Community-based Care
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 2052
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: CRA YEN, BRANNIGAN, CANAVAN, FAIRCLOTH, MILLER, PINGREE, RAND, WAGNER, WEBSTER

Legislative Document 
No. 2052 
H.P.1436 
House of Representatives, December 21,2007 
Resolve, To Create the Blue Ribbon Commission To Study the 
Future of Home-based and Community-based Care 
(EMERGENCY) 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203. 
Received by the Clerk of the House on December 19, 2007. Referred to the Committee on 
Health and Human Services pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint 
Rule 401. 
Presented by Representative CRA YEN of Lewiston. 
Cosponsored by Senator BRANNIGAN of Cumberland and 
1r/~/J7.~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representati yes: CAIN of Orono, CANAVAN of Waterville, FAIRCLOTH of Bangor, 
MILLER of Somerville, PINGREE of North Haven, RAND of Portland, WAGNER of 
Lewiston, WEBSTER of Freeport. 
. 
Printed on recyclet.l paper 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, work to study the unmet needs and financing options of long-term home-
based and community-based care must begin before the end of the legislative session 
because the State has an increasingly elderly population and there is a shortage of long-
term home-based and community-based care workers; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it 
Sec. 1. Blue Ribbon Commission established. Resolved: That the Blue 
Ribbon Commission To Study Long-term Home-based and Community-based Care, 
referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the commission consists of 10 members: 
1. Five members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows: 
A. Two members of the Senate; and 
B. 
Three members who are experts in the field of long-term home-based and 
community-based care financing and service. 
2. Four members appointed by the Speaker of the House as follows: 
A. Three members of the House of Representatives; and 
B. One member who has been a consumer of long-term home-based and community-
based care. 
3. One member of the Governor's office designated by the Governor at the Speaker's 
request; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate 
chair and the first-named House 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 
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resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative 
Council once all appointments have been completed. Within 15 days after appointment 
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of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission, 
which must be no later than 30 days following the appointment of all members; and be it 
further 
Sec. 5. 
Duties. 
Resolved: 
That the commIssIon shall examine and make 
recommendations on the development of choices to meet unmet needs and financing 
) 
options to ensure access to and affordability of long-term home-based and community-
based care. Given that the State has the oldest median age of any state in the nation, the 
commission shall create a coherent blueprint to ensure the sustainability of long-term 
home-based and community-based care options that provide choice and quality for the 
State's elderly and disabled citizens, many of whom are eligible for home-based and 
community-based care services and are not receiving them, forcing them into more costly 
institutiona~ care; and be it further 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the 
Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it 
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further 
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Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, no later than 
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December 15, 2008 the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and 
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recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the First Regular 
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Session of the 124th Legislature. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited In the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
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This resolve creates the Blue Ribbon Commission To Study Long-term Home-based 
and Community-based Care to develop choices to meet unmet needs and financing 
options of long-term home-based and community-based care. 
The commission shall 
create a blueprint to ensure the sustainability of long-term home-based and community-
based care options . 
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