An Act To Enable Seniors To Remain in Their Homes
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0249
Committee: Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: SAVIELLO, BURNS, DAVIS, KATZ, WHITTEMORE, BUCKLAND
Amends: 5 MRSA §13073-C

Legislative Document 
No. 249 
S.P. 87 
In Senate, February 3, 2015 
An Act To Enable Seniors To Remain in Their Homes 
Reference to the Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development 
suggested and ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator SAVIELLO of Franklin. 
Cosponsored by Senators: BURNS of Washington, DAVIS of Piscataquis, KATZ of 
Kennebec, WHITTEMORE of Somerset, Representative: BUCKLAND of Farmington. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  5 MRSA §13073-C is enacted to read: 
§13073-C.  Home Weatherization and Repair for Seniors Program 
1.  Program established; administration.  The Home Weatherization and Repair for 
Seniors Program, referred to in this section as "the program," is established within the 
department to assist low-income residents of the State 65 years of age or older by 
facilitating housing improvements that allow them to remain in their homes safely, 
independently and comfortably as they age.  The housing improvements include but are 
not limited to weatherization and improvements to meet the standards of the federal 
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to replace substandard fixtures and hardware 
and to reduce ongoing maintenance and heating costs.  All funds received for this 
program must be deposited into the Home Weatherization and Repair for Seniors Fund 
established by subsection 3. 
2.  Eligibility.  Only residents of the State 65 years of age or older eligible for the 
Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program administered through the United States 
Department of Health and Human Services are eligible for assistance under the program. 
3.  Home Weatherization and Repair for Seniors Fund created.  The Home 
Weatherization and Repair for Seniors Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is 
established to provide funding for the program. The fund is a dedicated, nonlapsing fund, 
and all revenues deposited in the fund remain in the fund and must be disbursed in 
accordance with subsection 4. 
4.  Distribution of the fund.  The department shall disburse money from the fund to 
a statewide network that provides weatherization and home repair services, including but 
not limited to repairs to meet the standards of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act 
of 1990, to replace substandard fixtures and hardware and to reduce ongoing maintenance 
and heating costs, to low-income residents of the State. 
5.  Reporting.  A member of the network who receives money from the fund in 
accordance with subsection 4 shall report annually to the department on the use of the 
money, including the number of houses improved, the number of residents in those 
houses and the amounts of other funds leveraged. 
Sec. 2.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF 
Home Weatherization and Repair for Seniors Program 
Initiative:  Provides funds for the statewide Home Weatherization and Repair for Seniors 
Program. 
SUMMARY 
This bill establishes the Home Weatherization and Repair for Seniors Program in the 
Department of Economic and Community Development to assist low-income seniors in 
remaining in their homes.  It also establishes the Home Weatherization and Repair for 
Seniors Fund and appropriates money to the fund.  The department is required to disburse 
money from the fund to a statewide network that provides weatherization and home 
repair services, including but not limited to repairs to meet the standards of the federal 
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to replace substandard fixtures and hardware 
and to reduce ongoing maintenance and heating costs, to low-income residents of the 
State. 
GENERAL FUND 
2015-16
2016-17
All Other 
$750,000
$750,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
$750,000
$750,000