Resolve, To Direct the Department of Health and Human Services To Address the Growing Deficit in Room and Board Allowances Paid to Agencies Providing Residential Services to Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0274
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: FARNSWORTH, HASKELL, HAMANN, MORRISON, STUCKEY, TIPPING-SPITZ

Legislative Document 
No. 274 
H.P. 192 
House of Representatives, February 5, 2015 
Resolve, To Direct the Department of Health and Human Services 
To Address the Growing Deficit in Room and Board Allowances 
Paid to Agencies Providing Residential Services to Adults with 
Intellectual Disabilities or Autism 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
ROBERT B. HUNT 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative FARNSWORTH of Portland. 
Cosponsored by Senator HASKELL of Cumberland and 
Representatives: HAMANN of South Portland, McCLELLAN of Raymond, MORRISON of 
South Portland, STUCKEY of Portland, TIPPING-SPITZ of Orono. 
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 directs the office of aging and disability services within the 
Department of Health and Human Services to identify the cost to the General Fund to 
ensure full funding of room and board costs incurred by agencies providing residential 
support to individuals served under the MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter II, Section 
21, Home and Community Benefits for Members with Intellectual Disabilities or Autistic 
Disorder; and 
Whereas, enactment of this resolve before the 90-day period expires is necessary to 
provide sufficient time for the department to identify the cost to the General Fund and 
submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services in time 
for the committee's review of supplemental budget legislation for fiscal year 2016-17; 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.  Identification of General Fund cost for room and board.  
Resolved:  That the office of aging and disability services within the Department of 
Health and Human Services shall identify the cost to the General Fund to fund the 
difference between rental subsidies paid to and actual room and board costs incurred by 
agencies providing residential support to individuals served under the MaineCare 
Benefits Manual, Chapter II, Section 21, Home and Community Benefits for Members 
with Intellectual Disabilities or Autistic Disorder.  By January 6, 2016, the department 
shall report the General Fund cost identified pursuant to this section 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 bill requires the office of aging and disability services  within the Department of 
Health and Human Services to identify the cost to the General Fund to ensure full funding 
of room and board costs incurred by agencies providing residential support to individuals 
with intellectual disabilities or autistic disorder served under MaineCare.