Resolve, To Support Family-directed Housing Initiatives and Alternative Programming for Individuals with Disabilities in Underserved Areas
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1367
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: MALABY, LANGLEY, CHACE, HANINGTON, HAWKE, HUBBELL, MARTIN, O'CONNOR

Legislative Document
No. 1367
H.P. 944
House of Representatives, April 6, 2017
Resolve, To Support Family-directed Housing Initiatives and 
Alternative Programming for Individuals with Disabilities in 
Underserved Areas
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative MALABY of Hancock.
Cosponsored by Senator LANGLEY of Hancock and
Representatives: CHACE of Durham, HANINGTON of Lincoln, HAWKE of Boothbay 
Harbor, HUBBELL of Bar Harbor, MARTIN of Eagle Lake, O'CONNOR of Berwick.
Sec. 1.  Department of Health and Human Services to develop pilot 
projects.  Resolved:  That the Department of Health and Human Services shall work 
with community partners to develop pilot projects, referred to in this resolve as "the pilot 
projects," to establish residences for up to 10 individuals in each facility for individuals 
with intellectual disabilities eligible for services under its rule Chapter 101:  MaineCare 
Benefits Manual, Chapters II and III, Section 20, 21 or 29 or other applicable sections for 
the population's needs.  The pilot projects must be developed in rural areas of the State 
that are underserved in terms of residential services for individuals with intellectual 
disabilities and serve local residents.  The department shall support private fund-raising 
by local communities.  The department shall develop contracts with local entities to 
determine the individuals to be served, make referrals and either carry out day-to-day 
functions or manage a contract for those services.  The pilot projects must assist the 
eligible individuals to build independent lives, including employment opportunities and 
community participation, in a residence in or near their home community in a place with 
modern facilities and communal spaces and served by skilled staff; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Local funding.  Resolved:  That the Department of Health and Human 
Services shall work with local entities to leverage private funding to contribute to the 
development of the pilot projects; and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Increased MaineCare rates.  Resolved:  That the Department of Health 
and Human Services shall consider the need for increasing reimbursement rates for the 
pilot projects above the existing reimbursement rates for services provided under its rule 
Chapter 101:  MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapters II and III, Section 20, 21 or 29 or 
other applicable sections for the population's needs in order to attract service providers in 
rural underserved areas.  The department shall seek any authorizations necessary from the 
federal Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services to reimburse at increased rates; and be it further 
Sec. 4.  Reporting.  Resolved:  That the Department of Health and Human 
Services shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction 
over health and human services matters no later than January 1, 2020.  The report must 
report progress on implementing the pilot projects and include the following measures:  
the number of facilities created, the number of individuals served in the pilot projects and 
evidence of improving services in a previously underserved area; expenditures on the 
pilot projects; pilot project cost comparisons with services received by similar individuals 
under the department's rule Chapter 101:  MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapters II and 
III, Section 20, 21 or 29 and other related sections in other areas of the State; project 
outcome measures including average hours per week of community-based employment, 
income from employment, average hours per week volunteering in the local community 
and hours per week learning new skills and assessed in service plans; and any 
recommendations regarding the applicability of the pilot projects for future service 
models for similar populations around the State.  The joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters is authorized to 
report out a bill to the Legislature regarding the recommendations in the report. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve requires the Department of Health and Human Services to work with 
community partners to develop pilot projects for residential facilities that each serve up to 
individuals with intellectual disabilities eligible for services under its rule Chapter 
101:  MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapters II and III, Section 20, 21 or 29 or other 
applicable sections for the population's needs.  The department shall support private fund-
raising by the local communities and develop contracts with local entities to determine 
admission standards, make referrals and either directly provide day-to-day services or 
contract for them.  The department shall consider the need to increase reimbursement 
under MaineCare for applicable services to counter high costs in underserved rural areas.  
The department must report by January 1, 2020 on the progress of the pilot projects, 
number of facilities created, number of individuals served, expenditures, cost 
comparisons and outcome measures together with any recommendations regarding 
applicability of the pilot projects as a model for similar future projects around the State.