Resolve, To Establish the Task Force on Independence from Public Assistance
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0133
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: POULIOT, HASKELL, GATTINE, HAMANN, PARRY, PETERSON, SANDERSON, SIROCKI, VACHON, McCORMICK

Legislative Document 
No. 133 
H.P. 91 
House of Representatives, January 22, 2015 
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. 
ROBERT B. HUNT 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative POULIOT of Augusta. 
Cosponsored by Senator HASKELL of Cumberland and 
Representatives: GATTINE of Westbrook, HAMANN of South Portland, PARRY of Arundel, 
PETERSON of Rumford, SANDERSON of Chelsea, SIROCKI of Scarborough, VACHON of 
Scarborough, Senator: McCORMICK of Kennebec. 
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 127th 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 13 
members appointed as follows: 
1.  Three 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.  Four 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; 
3.  Three 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 executive branch, one member must represent municipal 
administrators of general assistance programs and one member must represent employers 
in the State; 
4.  One member appointed by the President of the Senate who represents the 
academic community and possesses policy and research expertise in public assistance 
programs and poverty; and 
5.  Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House who possess expertise in 
public assistance programs.  One member must represent nonprofit organizations and 
possess policy expertise in public assistance programs that help people move out of 
poverty, and one member must be a person who has successfully transitioned from 
poverty and reliance on the State's public benefit programs to sustainable employment; 
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 evidence-based recommendations, including any suggested legislation, on 
initiatives needed to help families receiving municipal, state or federal public assistance 
move out of poverty to independence through employment.  The task force shall identify 
any provisions in current state policy, law and rules that penalize or create a disincentive 
to work and make needed recommendations to eliminate any such barriers and propose 
new policies that support and promote stable and lasting 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; 
related legislative reports and academic research conducted in the State; 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 2, 2015, 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 is directed to review and make evidence-based recommendations on 
initiatives needed to help families receiving public assistance to move out of poverty to 
independence through employment.  The task force must meet up to 8 times, consists of 
members and must report by December 2, 2015 with its findings and 
recommendations and suggested legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Health 
and Human Services.