Resolve, To Direct the Department of Health and Human Services To Assist Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities with Home Support
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0387
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: FARNSWORTH, CRAVEN, BRIGGS, BROOKS, PETERSON, SANBORN, STUCKEY, WELSH, LACHOWICZ

Legislative Document 
No. 387 
H.P. 262 
House of Representatives, February 12, 2013 
Resolve, To Direct the Department of Health and Human Services 
To Assist Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities with Home 
Support 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative FARNSWORTH of Portland. 
Cosponsored by Senator CRAVEN of Androscoggin and 
Representatives: BRIGGS of Mexico, BROOKS of Winterport, PETERSON of Rumford, 
SANBORN of Gorham, STUCKEY of Portland, WELSH of Rockport, Senator: 
LACHOWICZ of Kennebec. 
Sec. 1.  Department of Health and Human Services to study issues 
surrounding home and community-based waiver program to provide 
assistance for individuals with intellectual disabilities.  Resolved:  That the 
Department of Health and Human Services shall study the issues surrounding the home 
and community-based waiver program under the United States Department of Health and 
Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and locate funding to 
better provide services that allow program participants to meet basic needs for shelter and 
nourishment, including: 
1.  Completing a cost analysis of an average program participant's living costs, 
including, but not limited to, annual rent or mortgage payments, utilities, food and basic 
telephone service; 
2.  Clarifying the state policies and rules that regulate the ability of program 
participants and program service providers to negotiate room and board; and 
3.  Analyzing the data collected under subsections 1 and 2 to determine the source of 
appropriate funds that will allow the Department of Health and Human Services through 
following a consistent methodology to assist program participants in meeting basic needs 
for shelter and nourishment; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Commissioner of Health and Human Services to provide 
necessary regulatory support. Resolved:  That the Commissioner of Health and 
Human Services shall ensure that all of its offices and divisions work in concert to 
provide necessary regulatory support to locate funding to assist program participants in 
meeting basic needs for shelter and nourishment; and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Report.  Resolved:  That, no later than January 1, 2014, the Commissioner 
of Health and Human Services shall submit a report on progress in carrying out the 
purposes of this resolve, including suggested legislation, 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 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Department of Health and Human Services to study the issues 
surrounding the home and community-based waiver program under the United States 
Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 
and locate funding to better provide services that allow program participants to meet 
basic needs for shelter and nourishment.