Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0210

One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Legislature 
Advance Journal and Calendar 
15th Legislative Day 
In Senate Chamber, Thursday, February 16, 2017. 
Senate called to Order by President Michael D. Thibodeau of Waldo County. 
Prayer by Senator Paul T. Davis Sr. of Piscataquis. 
Pledge of Allegiance led by Senator Andre E. Cushing, III of Penobscot County. 
Reading of the Journal of Tuesday, February 14, 2017. 
Doctor of the day, Patrick Keaney, M.D. of Yarmouth. 
_________________________________ 
Michael D. Thibodeau 
Senate President 
http://legislature.maine.gov/senate
Heather J.R. Priest 
Secretary of the Senate 
Thursday, February 16, 2017 
ORDERS 
Joint Orders 
(4-1)  On motion by Senator JACKSON of Aroostook, the following Joint Order: 
S.P. 210 
ORDERED, the House concurring, that, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the Task Force To 
Address the Opioid Crisis in the State, referred to in this order as "the task force," is established 
as follows. 
1. Appointment; composition.  The task force consists of members appointed as follows: 
A. Four members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, including 2 
members of the party holding the largest and 2 members of the party holding the 2nd-largest 
number of seats in the Senate; 
B. Four members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House, 
including 2 members of the party holding the largest and 2 members of the party holding the 
2nd-largest number of seats in the House of Representatives; 
C.  One member who is an administrator at a hospital in the State, appointed by the President 
of the Senate; 
D. One member representing the interests of law enforcement, appointed by the President of 
the Senate; 
E. One member representing the interests of providers of services at opioid treatment 
facilities, appointed by the President of the Senate; 
F.  One member representing a statewide association of physicians in the State, appointed by 
the President of the Senate; 
G.  One member who is recovering from opioid addiction, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House; 
H. One member representing the interests of providers of substance abuse and recovery 
services, appointed by the Speaker of the House; 
I. One member who is a physician specializing in addiction treatment, appointed by the 
Speaker of the House; and 
J. One member who is a behavioral health specialist, appointed by the Speaker of the House. 
The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall invite to participate as members 
of the task force the Governor, or the Governor's designee; the Attorney General, or the Attorney 
General's designee; and a representative of the judicial branch. 
2.  Chairs.  The first-named Senator is the Senate chair of the task force and the first-named 
member of the House of Representatives is the House chair of the task force. 
Thursday, February 16, 2017 
3. Appointments; convening.  All appointments must be made no later than 30 days 
following passage of this order.  The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of 
the Legislative Council once all appointments have been made.  When the appointment of all 
members has been completed, the chairs of the task force shall call and convene the first meeting 
of the task force.  If 30 days or more after the passage of this order 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. 
4.  Duties.  The task force shall examine the current laws in the State addressing opiate abuse 
and heroin use, including but not limited to existing laws focused on law enforcement, 
prevention, treatment and recovery.  As part of its study, the task force shall review the report 
and recommendations of the Maine Opiate Collaborative issued on May 6, 2016 as well as 
initiatives that have been successfully undertaken by other states, including but not limited to 
proposals for increased law enforcement personnel or funding; substance abuse prevention, 
treatment and peer recovery services; and substance abuse prevention and education in schools 
and communities, and shall develop recommendations to address the opioid crisis in the State. 
5.  Compensation.  The legislative members of the task force are entitled to receive the 
legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and 
reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses related to their attendance at authorized 
meetings of the task force. Public members not otherwise compensated by their employers or 
other entities that they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses and, 
upon a demonstration of financial hardship, a per diem equal to the legislative per diem for their 
attendance at authorized meetings of the task force. 
6.  Quorum.  A quorum is a majority of the members of the task force, including those 
members invited to participate who have accepted the invitation to participate. 
7.  Staffing.  The Legislative Council shall contract for necessary staff support for the task 
force during the legislative session and may contract for such staff support for a longer period to 
the extent needed and if sufficient funding is available.  At the request of the task force, the 
Legislative Council may provide drafting assistance to the task force during the legislative 
session and other staffing support to the task force when the Legislature is not in session. 
8.  Reports.  No later than April 30, 2017, the task force shall submit an initial report that 
includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for introduction to 
the First Regular Session of the 128th Legislature. No later than December 6, 2017, the task 
force shall submit a final report that includes its findings and recommendations, including 
suggested legislation, for introduction to the Second Regular Session of the 128th Legislature. 
_________________________________ 
Expressions of Legislative Sentiment recognizing: 
(4-2)  the Central Aroostook Middle School Cheerleading Squad, of Mars Hill, which won the 
2017 Aroostook League Middle School Cheering Championship.  We extend to all the members 
of the team our congratulations and best wishes; 
SLS 60 
Sponsored by Senator CARPENTER of Aroostook. 
Cosponsored by Representative: WHITE of Washburn.