Resolve, To Establish the Task For<;e on Kinship Families
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1115
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: CAIN, ROSEN, BERRY, CAMPBELL, MILLER, PRIEST, ROTUNDO

MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE 
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A.UGUST A.fViAfi\JE 
124thMAINE LEGISLATURE 
Legislative Document 
No.11IS 
H.P.770 
House of Representatives, March 20, 2009 
Resolve, To Establish the Task For<;e on Kinship Families 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative CAIN of Orono. 
Cosponsored by Senator ROSEN of Hancock and 
~m~d: 111· 7l/!IC;1zu4vPLcl , 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: BERRY of Bowdoinham, CAMPBELL of Newfield, MILLER of Somerville, 
PRIEST of Bnll1swick, ROTUNDO of Lewiston, SUTHERLAND ofChapman"WEBSTER of 
Freeport. 
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Printe(j on recycled 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, the Task Force on Kinship Families is created in tlus resolve in order to 
study issues facing kinship families; and 
Whereas, the task force must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in qrder 
that the study may be completed and a report subnutted in time for submission to the next 
legislative session; 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. Tasl{ force established. Resolved: That the Task Force 'on Kinship 
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Fanulies, referred to in this resolve as "the task force," is established; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: That the·task force consists of 13 
members .appointed as follows: 
1. Four members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows: 
A. Two Senators; and 
B. One member representing a private nonprofit agency that provides services to 
ldriship families and one member who is a state-licensed pediatrician; 
2. Seven members appointed by the Speaker offhe House as follows: 
A. Five Representatives; and 
B. One member who is currently providing primary care for a relative's child and one 
member representing the Probate Court; and 
3. 
The Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's 
designee; and 
4. The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee; 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 task 
force; and be it further . 
Sec. 4. 
Appointments; convening of . task force. 
Resolved: 
That all 
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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 15 days after appointment 
of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force, which 
must be no later than August 1, 2009; and be it further 
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Sec .. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall examine the issues facing 
kinship families, defined here as family members who care for a relative's child, and how 
state policies and practices can be crafted to meet the special needs of kinship families. 
In examining this issue, the task force shall identify existing resources within the State for 
kinship families, determine the needs of kinship families and gaps in services, review 
legal and custody issues and concerns for kinship families and create strategies for 
sustaining and maintaining resources for kinship families; and be it further 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the task force; and be it further 
. 
Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 2, 2009, the task force 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature. The 
JoinLStanding COlmnittee on Health and Human Services is authorized to introduce a bill 
related to the subject matter of the report to the Second Regular Session upon receipt of 
the report.· 
Emergency clause.· In view Of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes a task force to study issues concerning kinship families, 
which are families who arecaring for a relative's child. The task force shall examine the 
. issues facing ldnship families and how state poliCies and practices can be crafted to meet 
their special needs. ·,In examining this issue, the task force shall identify existing 
resources within the State for· kinship families, determine the needs .of kinship families 
and gaps in services, review legal and custody issues and concerns for kinship families 
and create strategies for sustaining and maintaining resources for kinship families. The 
task force will report its findings and suggested legislation to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Health and Human Services, which is authorized to report out a bill on the 
suggestions.