Resolve, To Require the Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine State Housing Authority To Create Efficiencies in Existing Services for Persons Who Are Homeless
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0576
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: CAMPBELL, MITCHELL, ADAMS, CROCKETT, PINGREE, BRANNIGAN, HOBBINS, MILLS, PERRY

FIRST REGULAR SESSIOt~-2009 
Legislative Document 
No. 576 
H.P.414 
House of Representatives, February 17, 2009 
Resolve, To Require the Department of Health and Human Services 
and the Maine State Housing Authority To Create Efficiencies in 
Existing Services for Persons Who Are Homeless 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative CAMPBELL of Newfield. 
Cosponsored by President MITCHELL of Kelmebec and 
l11~d /J1'17!iI£~{ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: ADAMS of Portland, CROCKETT of Augusta, HASKELL ofPOliland, 
Speaker PINGREE ofNOlih Haven, Senators: BRANNIGAN of Cumberland, HOBBINS of 
York, MILLS of Somerset, PERRY of Penobscot. 
Printeu l)!\ recycled paper 
Sec. 1. Convene working group. Resolved: That the Department of Health 
and Human Services, referred to in this resolve as "the department," and the Maine State 
Housing Authority, referred to in this resolve as "the authority," shall convene a working 
group consisting of representatives of the department, the authority: the Statewide 
Homeless CounCirimder the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3D·A; cha:ptet202, subchapter 
5-A and providers of emergency shelter for persons who are homeless to review the 
services delivered to persons who are homeless, with the purpose of creating efficiencies 
while maintaining flexibility. The Commissioner of Health and Human Services and the 
director of the authority shall name 2 cochairs to convene and lead the working group. 
One chair must represent the department and one chair must represent the authority. The 
cochairs shall select 7 to 9 members for the working group based on criteria established 
by the department and the authority; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Review. Resolved: That the working group under section 1 shall review 
all programs and services for persons who are homeless managed by the authority, 
including the Continuums of Care, the Homeless Management Information System, 
emergency shelter grants and the shelter operating subsidy program, and those managed 
by the department, including all homeless housing development and subsidy programs, 
resources and services presently operated by the department, including Shelter Plus Care 
and the Bridging Rental Assistance Program. 
In conducting its review, the working group shall: 
1. Identify a strategy to monitor the progress of integrating the resources, services and 
persons who are homeless into the existing structures, in an effort to ensure that persons 
who are homeless receive the services for which they are entitled in a timely fashion; 
2. Advise the Legislature regarding the progress of its efforts and recommend further 
organizational adjustments necessary to create efficiencies in the delivery of services to 
persons who are homeless; and 
3. Ensure that the Legislature is provided with timely and accurate information 
regarding the integration of services for persons who are homeless into the existing 
structure and service mix; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That, by January 1, 2010, the department and the 
authority shall report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services the 
findings and recommendations of the working group under section 1, including any 
necessary implementing legislation; and be it further 
Sec. 4. Legislation. Resolved: That, after receipt and review of the report and 
recommendations submitted pursuant to section 3, the Joint Standing Committee on 
Health and Human Services may submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 
124th Legislature. 
Page I - 124LROS72(Ol)-1 
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SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine 
State Housing Authority to convene a working group to review the services delivered to 
persons who are homeless, with the purpose of creating efficiel1cies while maintaining 
flexibility. The department and the authority shall submit a report to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Health and Human Services by January 1, 2010. The Joint Standing 
Committee on Health and Human Services may submit legislation to the Second Regular 
Session of the 124th Legislature.