Resolve, To Establish the Task Force on Independence from Public Assistance
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 1064
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: NEWENDYKE, FLOOD, BEAULIEU, BEAVERS, BECK, BERRY, BLACK, CHASE, COTTA, CRAY, DOAK, DUPREY, ESPLING, FITZPATRICK, FREDETTE, GATTINE, GIDEON, GIFFORD, GILBERT, GILLWAY, GRANT, GUERIN, JOHNSON, KESCHL, KNIGHT, LOCKMAN, MAKER, MALABY, MAREAN, MASTRACCIO, NADEAU, NOON, PARRY, PEAVEY HASKELL, POULIOT, POWERS, RUSSELL, SANDERSON, SHORT, SIROCKI, STUCKEY, TURNER, TYLER, VOLK, WALLACE, WEAVER, WILLETTE, WILSON, WINSOR, WOOD

Legislative Document 
No. 1064 
H.P. 757 
House of Representatives, March 19, 2013 
Resolve, To Establish the Task Force on Independence from Public 
Assistance 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative NEWENDYKE of Litchfield. 
Cosponsored by Senator FLOOD of Kennebec and 
Representatives: BEAULIEU of Auburn, BEAVERS of South Berwick, BECK of Waterville, 
BERRY of Bowdoinham, BLACK of Wilton, CHASE of Wells, COTTA of China, CRAY of 
Palmyra, DeCHANT of Bath, DOAK of Columbia Falls, DUPREY of Hampden, ESPLING of 
New Gloucester, FITZPATRICK of Houlton, FREDETTE of Newport, GATTINE of 
Westbrook, GIDEON of Freeport, GIFFORD of Lincoln, GILBERT of Jay, GILLWAY of 
Searsport, GRANT of Gardiner, GUERIN of Glenburn, JOHNSON of Eddington, JOHNSON 
of Greenville, KESCHL of Belgrade, KNIGHT of Livermore Falls, LOCKMAN of Amherst, 
MacDONALD of Old Orchard Beach, MAKER of Calais, MALABY of Hancock, MAREAN 
of Hollis, MASTRACCIO of Sanford, McCLELLAN of Raymond, McELWEE of Caribou, 
McGOWAN of York, McLEAN of Gorham, NADEAU of Fort Kent, NOON of Sanford, 
PARRY of Arundel, PEAVEY HASKELL of Milford, POULIOT of Augusta, POWERS of 
Naples, RUSSELL of Portland, SANDERSON of Chelsea, SHORT of Pittsfield, SIROCKI of 
Scarborough, STUCKEY of Portland, TURNER of Burlington, TYLER of Windham, VOLK 
of Scarborough, WALLACE of Dexter, WEAVER of York, WILLETTE of Mapleton, 
WILSON of Augusta, WINSOR of Norway, WOOD of Sabattus. 
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 Independence from Public Assistance is required to 
perform its work in a thorough and deliberate manner so that legislation may be drafted to 
encourage independence from public assistance for consideration in the Second Regular 
Session of the 126th Legislature; 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 on Independence from Public Assistance established.  
Resolved:  That the Task Force on Independence from Public Assistance, 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 9 
members appointed as follows: 
1.  Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including 
members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature; 
2.  Three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats 
in the Legislature; and 
3.  Four members appointed by the Governor who possess expertise in public 
assistance programs and programs to assist people to achieve employment.  One member 
must represent the Department of Health and Human Services, one member must 
represent low-income residents of the State, one member must represent employers in the 
State and one member must represent the Office of the Governor; and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Cooperation.  Resolved:  That the Department of Health and Human 
Services, other state agencies and the Maine State Housing Authority shall provide 
information and assistance to the task force as requested by the task force for the 
performance of its duties; 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 meet up to 8 times to review 
and make recommendations, including any suggested legislation, on initiatives needed to 
encourage independence from public assistance and programs funded with municipal, 
state or federal funds to assist people to achieve employment.  In performing its work the 
task force shall review categories of public assistance available to residents of the State 
and eligibility requirements; termination of eligibility, assistance and benefits; transitional 
assistance and benefits; barriers to independence from public assistance; and initiatives to 
assist people to achieve employment; and be it further 
Sec. 7.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That 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, for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human 
Services. 
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 Independence from Public Assistance.  
The task force must meet up to 8 times, consists of 9 members and must report by 
December 4, 2013 with its findings and recommendations and suggested legislation to the 
Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.