Resolve, To Create a Working Group To Make Recommendations To Improve the Efficiency, Accountability and Proper Administration of Municipal General Assistance Programs
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1039
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: ROTUNDO, ROSEN, CAREY, EVES, MARTIN, PETERSON, SANBORN, STRANG BURGESS, WEBSTER, CRAVEN

Legislative Document 
No. 1039 
H.P. 773 
House of Representatives, March 10, 2011 
Resolve, To Create a Working Group To Make Recommendations 
To Improve the Efficiency, Accountability and Proper 
Administration of Municipal General Assistance Programs 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative ROTUNDO of Lewiston. 
Cosponsored by Senator ROSEN of Hancock and 
Representatives: CAREY of Lewiston, EVES of North Berwick, MARTIN of Eagle Lake, 
PETERSON of Rumford, SANBORN of Gorham, STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland, 
WEBSTER of Freeport, Senator: CRAVEN of Androscoggin. 
Sec. 1.  Working group established.  Resolved:  That the Commissioner of 
Health and Human Services or the commissioner's designee shall convene a working 
group to study and make recommendations related to the administration of the general 
assistance programs under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, chapter 1161.  The 
commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall convene the first meeting of the 
working group no later than October 30, 2011, and the working group shall elect a chair 
from among its members; and be it further  
Sec. 2.  Working group members.  Resolved:  That the working group consists 
of 9 members: 
1.  The Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's designee; 
2.  Four members representing general assistance applicants and recipients from the 
following organizations invited by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee: 
A.  A statewide nonprofit legal services organization that provides representation 
with legislative and administrative advocacy to low-income persons; 
B.  A faith-based ecumenical organization representing multiple denominations; 
C.  An organization representing the interests of persons who are homeless; and 
D.  A statewide nonprofit legal services organization that provides free legal services, 
including representation in general assistance matters, to low-income persons; and 
3.  Four members representing the interests of municipalities or other entities 
administering a general assistance program invited by the commissioner or the 
commissioner's designee: 
A.  A representative of the municipality administering the largest number of people 
served under general assistance programs in the State; 
B.  A representative of a rural municipality; 
C.  A representative of a statewide organization representing the interests of general 
assistance administrators; and 
D.  A representative of an entity administering general assistance on behalf of a 
municipality or municipalities; and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Selection of members.  Resolved:  That, no later than 30 days following 
the effective date of this resolve, the organizations described in section 2 shall notify the 
Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's designee of the 
members selected for participation in the working group; and be it further 
Sec. 4.  Duties. Resolved:  That the working group shall: 
1.  Examine the administration of general assistance programs throughout the State 
and the extent to which the programs are administered properly and in accordance with 
law; 
2.  Examine the efficiency of general assistance programs, including the extent to 
which applicants and recipients receive assistance in accessing other sources of assistance 
for which they are eligible; 
3.  Study the extent to which appropriate records related to the administration of 
general assistance are maintained; 
4.  Determine the opportunity for electronic data exchange between municipalities 
and the Department of Health and Human Services to verify eligibility factors for general 
assistance applicants and promote program integrity; 
5.  Study methods to improve program accountability both with respect to general 
assistance applicants and recipients and to the administration of general assistance 
programs; and 
6.  Recommend changes determined by the working group that will improve the 
efficiency, accountability and proper administration of general assistance programs; and 
be it further 
Sec. 5.  Notice to Legislature.  Resolved:  That the chair of the working group 
shall provide written notice of meetings and copies of any minutes of meetings of the 
working group to the Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's 
designee and to members of the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human 
Services and the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis; and be it further 
Sec. 6.  Report.  Resolved:  That, no later than February 15, 2012, the working 
group shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including 
suggested legislation, to the Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the 
commissioner's designee, who shall report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and 
Human Services.  The Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services is 
authorized to introduce a bill related to the subject matter of the report to the Second 
Regular Session of the 125th Legislature upon receipt of the report. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Commissioner of Health and Human Services to convene a 
working group to examine municipal general assistance programs.  The commissioner is 
directed to report to the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature with its findings 
and suggested legislation.  The working group is directed to examine the administration 
and efficiency of the programs, to study the administration of appropriate records and to 
determine the opportunity for electronic data exchange between municipalities and the 
Department of Health and Human Services to verify eligibility factors and to promote 
program integrity.