Resolve, To Ensure a Strong Start for Maine's Infants and Toddlers by Extending the Reach of High-quality Home Visitation
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1504
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: BERRY, RAYE, EVES, FOSSEL, GRAHAM, MALABY, MARTIN, ROTUNDO, STRANG BURGESS, KATZ

Legislative Document 
No. 1504 
H.P. 1105 
House of Representatives, April 22, 2011 
Resolve, To Ensure a Strong Start for Maine's Infants and Toddlers 
by Extending the Reach of High-quality Home Visitation 
Received by the Clerk of the House on April 20, 2011.  Referred to the Committee on 
Health and Human Services pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint 
Rule 401. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham. 
Cosponsored by President RAYE of Washington and 
Representatives: EVES of North Berwick, FOSSEL of Alna, GRAHAM of North Yarmouth, 
MALABY of Hancock, MARTIN of Eagle Lake, ROTUNDO of Lewiston, STRANG 
BURGESS of Cumberland, Senator: KATZ of Kennebec. 
Sec. 1.  State plan to coordinate current home visitation programs.  
Resolved:  That the Department of Health and Human Services, referred to in this 
resolve as "the department," shall develop a comprehensive plan for fiscal years 2011-12, 
2012-13 and 2013-14 relating to home visitation programs and services for at-risk infants 
and toddlers.  The plan must reflect an emphasis on proven strategies to improve early 
childhood health and cognition, in order to increase future productivity and reduce future 
demand on tax-supported services, and on serving infants who are at risk due to physical, 
emotional, developmental or environmental factors.  The plan must ensure that these 
programs and services, to the greatest extent possible, are funded by federal, private, local 
and other special revenue resources, particularly seeking to leverage both cash and 
in-kind private match wherever possible; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Supporting direct services.  Resolved:  That the plan developed under 
section 1 must support direct services and continued investment in quality assurance, 
evaluation and professional development infrastructure, including training and ongoing 
supervision; and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Reporting.  Resolved:  That, by February 1, 2012, the department shall 
submit a report, including suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Health and Human Services regarding the plan under section 1 and the status of all state-
funded home visitation programs, including a brief description of each program, an 
evaluation to date of each program and the next steps the department recommends to 
ensure the improved health outcomes, reduced costs to taxpayers and enhanced future 
productivity through these programs, as well as how the programs further the State's goal 
of coordinated home visitation for all at-risk families.  The Joint Standing Committee on 
Health and Human Services may report out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 
125th Legislature concerning the programs. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a plan 
for the full use of federal, private and special revenue funds for home visitation programs 
or services, with an emphasis on serving infants who are at risk due to physical, 
emotional, developmental or environmental factors, and to report to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Health and Human Services.  The committee may report out a bill in 2012 
on the department's progress in ensuring improved health outcomes, reduced costs to 
taxpayers and enhanced future productivity through these efforts.