Resolve, To Create the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0095
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: MAKER, HASKELL, CASSIDY, DION, ESPLING, NELSON, TURNER, VOLK, BURNS

Legislative Document 
No. 95 
H.P. 77 
House of Representatives, January 24, 2013 
Resolve, To Create the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual 
Abuse of Children 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative MAKER of Calais. 
Cosponsored by Senator HASKELL of Cumberland and 
Representatives: CASSIDY of Machias, DION of Portland, ESPLING of New Gloucester, 
MacDONALD of Old Orchard Beach, NELSON of Falmouth, TURNER of Burlington, VOLK 
of Scarborough, Senator: BURNS of Washington. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, this resolve creates the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of 
Children to study and recommend policies addressing sexual abuse of children; and 
Whereas, the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that 
the study may be completed and a report submitted 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.  Task force established. Resolved:  That the Task Force on the 
Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children, 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.  Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; 
2.  A representative of an organization representing law enforcement, appointed by 
the President of the Senate; 
3.  A representative of a statewide professional teachers organization, appointed by 
the President of the Senate; 
4.  A representative of a statewide coalition against sexual assault, appointed by the 
President of the Senate; 
5. A representative of a community-based organization serving youth, appointed by 
the President of the Senate;  
6.  Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House; 
7.  A representative of a sexual assault crisis and support center involved in the 
prevention of child sexual abuse, appointed by the Speaker of the House; 
8.  A person who is a victim of child sexual abuse, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House; 
9.  A representative of an organization representing public school administration, 
appointed by the Speaker of the House; 
10.  The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee; and 
11. The Commissioner of Health and Human Services, or the commissioner's 
designee; and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Compensation. Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, public 
members of the task force are not entitled to reimbursement for their expenses; and be it 
further  
Sec. 4.  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. 5.  Appointments; convening of task force. Resolved:  That all 
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. After appointment of all members, 
the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force.  If 30 days or more 
after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been 
made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority 
for the task force to meet and conduct its business; and be it further 
Sec. 6.  Duties. Resolved:  That the task force shall study and develop 
recommendations 
for 
preventing 
child 
sexual 
abuse. 
In 
developing 
those 
recommendations, the task force shall: 
1. Gather information concerning child sexual abuse throughout the State; 
2. Solicit and receive reports and testimony from individuals, state and local agencies, 
community-based organizations and other public and private organizations; and 
3. Recommend policies to prevent and address sexual abuse of children, including 
age-appropriate curricula for students in prekindergarten to grade 5; methods for 
increasing teacher, student and parent awareness of issues regarding sexual abuse of 
children, including the provision of information concerning warning signs indicating that 
a child may be a victim of sexual abuse; actions that a child who is a victim of sexual 
abuse may take to obtain assistance and intervention; and available counseling options for 
children affected by sexual abuse; and be it further 
Sec. 7.  Staff assistance. Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the 
Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the task force; and be it 
further 
Sec. 8.  Report. Resolved:  That, no later than December 4, 2013, the task force 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.  That joint 
standing committee is authorized to introduce a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 
126th Legislature related to the subject matter of the report. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of 
Children, which is directed to study issues regarding child sexual abuse in Maine and to 
recommend policies to address those issues. The policies may include age-appropriate 
curricula for school children from prekindergarten to grade 5 and methods to increase 
teacher, student and parent awareness of the issues regarding child sexual abuse.  The 
task force is also directed to submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health 
and Human Services, and the joint standing committee is authorized to introduce a bill to 
the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature based on that report.