Resolve, To Complete the Timely and Appropriate Redesign of Shared Living Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0829
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: STUCKEY, SANBORN

Legislative Document 
No. 829 
H.P. 580 
House of Representatives, March 5, 2013 
Resolve, To Complete the Timely and Appropriate Redesign of 
Shared Living Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or 
Autism 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative STUCKEY of Portland. 
Cosponsored by Representative: SANBORN of Gorham. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, shared living is an appropriate and cost-effective option for many adults 
with cognitive or intellectual disabilities or autism; and 
Whereas, the Department of Health and Human Services began redesign efforts for 
its shared living program July 1, 2010 and booked savings in this program; and 
Whereas, the initial redesign has occurred and actions to clarify the respective roles 
of administering agencies, host families and department employees have occurred; and 
Whereas, substantial portions of the redesign remain unresolved or not 
implemented; and 
Whereas, residential supports for over 450 individuals with intellectual disabilities 
or autism are critical services that require additional redefinition; 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.  Redesign. Resolved:  That the Department of Health and Human Services 
shall complete the redesign of its shared living program that began July 1, 2010 with the 
stakeholder group that was established by the Commissioner of Health and Human 
Services.  The redesign work must include the following: 
1.  Analysis of the efficacy and appropriateness of host families becoming providers 
of record under rules of the MaineCare program and clarification of host families being 
defined as employees or independent contractors; 
2.  Review of planned allocation of responsibilities that took effect October 1, 2010, 
and proper implementation of assigned tasks and responsibilities among host home 
providers, oversight agencies and case managers for the Department of Health and 
Human Services; 
3.  Amendment, if necessary, of the rules regarding the MaineCare program home 
and community waiver to include a clear definition of shared living services; and 
4.  Development of acuity-based reimbursement systems for host home providers and 
oversight agencies that are within the limits of existing resources and that reflect the 
intensity of supports required by individuals and host home providers based on an 
objective needs assessment process. 
The Department of Health and Human Services shall complete the shared living 
program redesign by June 30, 2013. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve requires the Department of Health and Human Services to continue to 
work on the redesign of its shared living program and to complete the redesign by June 
30, 2013.