An Act To Make Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government and To Change Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2008 and June 30, 2009
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 2173
Committee Amendment CA_A-SA_K_S511 (Senate)

SENATE AMENDMENT "K" to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 
1547, L.D. 2173, Bill, "An Act To Make Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations 
for the Expenditures of State Government and To Change Certain Provisions of the Law 
Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending 
June 30, 2008 and June 30, 2009" 
Amend the amendment by inserting after Part MMMM the following: 
'PART NNNN 
Sec. NNNN-I. Blue Ribbon Commission on Mental Health. The Blue 
Ribbon Commission on Mental Health, referred to in this Part as "the commission," is 
established for the purpose of making recommendations regarding the design of a mental 
health system that maximizes resources, creates efficiencies, ensures high-quality service 
and reduces or eliminates direct mental health services only as a last resort during severe 
budget crises. 
1. Membership. The commission consists of 17 members: 
A. Two members of the Senate who serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Health 
and Human Services, one from each of the major political parties, appointed by the 
President of the Senate; 
B. Four members of the House of Representatives who serve on the Joint Standing 
Committee on Health and Human Services, 2 members each from the major political 
parties, appointed by the Speaker of the House; 
C. 
The Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's 
designee; 
D. An official from the Department of Health and Human Services who has principal 
authority for child mental health services in the department, appointed by the 
Governor; 
E. An official from the Department of Health and Human Services who has principal 
authority for adult mental health services in the department, appointed by the 
Governor; 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
." 
~~ 
I 
I 
SENATE AMENDMENT" K" to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 1547, L.D. 2173 
F. An official from the Department of Health and Human Services who has principal 
authority for elder mental health services in the department, appointed by the 
Governor; 
G. Two mental health providers, appointed by the President of the Senate; 
H. Two mental health providers, appointed by the Speaker ofthe House; 
I. A representative from the National Alliance on Mental Illness - Maine, appointed 
jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House; 
J. A present or past consumer of mental health services, appointed by the Speaker of 
the House; and 
K. 
A family member of a present or past consumer of mental health services, 
appointed by the President of the Senate. 
2. Appointments; chair. All appointments must be made no later than 30 days 
following the effective date of this Part. The appointing authorities shall notify the 
Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been 
completed. The first-named Senate member and the first-named House of Representatives 
member are cochairs of the commission and shall call and convene the first meeting of 
the commission no later than September 1,2008. 
3. Duties. The commission shall complete an assessment of the State's mental 
health system and suggest measures to maximize resources, create efficiencies, ensure 
high-quality service and design a system that reduces or eliminates direct mental health 
services only as a last resort during severe budget crises. 
4. Authorized number of meetings; public comment. 
The commission is 
authorized to hold 8 meetings, including at least one meeting at which the commission 
provides an opportunity for public comment. 
5. Report. By April I, 2009, the commission shall submit a report of its findings, 
together with any necessary implementing legislation, to the joint standing committee of 
the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters. The joint 
standing committee may report out a bill during the First Regular Session of the 124th 
Legislature concerning the findings and recommendations of the commission. 
6. Extension. 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. 
7. Compensation. The legislative members of the commission are entitled to receive 
the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and 
reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses related to their attendance at 
authorized meetings of the commission. Public members not otherwise compensated by 
their employers or other entities that they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement 
of necessary expenses and a per diem equal to the legislative per diem for their 
attendance at authorized meetings of the commission. 
8. Outside funding for consultant. The commission may seek outside funds to fund 
the costs of contracting with a consultant or expert to provide support to the commission. 
Contributions to support the work of the commission may not be accepted from any party 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
:,. 
.~tj. 
SENATE AMENDMENT" K" to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 1547, L.D. 2173 
havi ng pecuniary or other vested interest in the outcome of the matters being studied. 
Any person, other than a state agency, desiring to make a financial or in-kind contribution 
must certify to the Legislative Council that is has no pecuniary or other vested interest in 
the outcome of the study. Such certification must be made in the manner prescribed by 
the Legislative Council. All contributions are subject to approval by the Legislative 
Council. All funds accepted must be forwarded to the Executive Director of the 
Legislative Council along with an accounting record that includes the amount of funds, 
the date the funds were received, from whom the funds were received and the purpose of 
and any limitation on the use of those funds. The Executive Director of the Legislative 
Council shall administer any funds received by the commission. The Executive Director 
of the Legislative Council shall notify the chair of the commission when sufficient 
fund ing has been received. 
9. Staffing. The Department of Health and Human Services shall provide staffing 
assistance to the commission. 
10. Commission meetings. The meetings of the commission are public proceedings 
and records of the commission are public records as defined in the laws governing 
freedom of access in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title I, chapter 13, subchapter I. 
Sec. NNNN-2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations 
and allocations are made. 
LEG ISLA TURE 
Study Commissions - Funding 0444 
Initiative: Appropriates funds for the Blue Ribbon Commission on Mental Health. 
GENERAL FUND 
Personal Services 
All Other 
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
2007-08 
$0 
$0 
$0 
2008-09 
$5,280 
$17,200 
$22,480 
Amend the amendment by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter 
or section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment establishes the Blue Ribbon Commission on Mental Health to 
complete an assessment of the State's mental health system and suggest measures to 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
I 
SENATE AMENDMENT "K" to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 1547, L.D. 2173 
maximize resources, create efficiencies, ensure high-quality service and design a system 
that reduces or eliminates direct mental health services only as a last resort during severe 
budget crises. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
SPONSORED BY: ----,ft--7\-'. M6."--"-,,,---,--,,,--=--t--,--, -~--'--''-7f----
(Senator RA YE) 
~ 
COUNTY: Washington 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 03/27/08 :;t;pac:.. 
LD 2173 
LR 3445(22) 
An Act To Make Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State 
Government and To Change Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of 
State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2008 and June 30,2009 
Fiscal Note for Senate Amendment" K "to Committee Amendment "A" 
Net Cost (Savings) 
General Fund 
Appropriations/Allocations 
General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Sponsor: Sen. Raye of Washington 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
2007-08 
2008-09 
$0 
$22,480 
$0 
$22,480 
Projections 
2009-10 
$0 
$0 
Projections 
2010-11 
$0 
$0 
This amendment will increase the General Fund cost of the bill by $22,480 in fiscal year 2008-09. Based on 
the estimated year-end balances, a balanced budget is not maintained for the 2008-2009 biennium. 
LR3445(22) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1