Resolve, To Increase Access to Housing-related Support Services
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1318
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: GATTINE, CHIPMAN, CRAVEN, JORGENSEN, MORALES, SANBORN

Legislative Document
No. 1318
H.P. 953
House of Representatives, March 19, 2019
Resolve, To Increase Access to Housing-related Support Services
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative GATTINE of Westbrook.
Cosponsored by Senator CHIPMAN of Cumberland and
Representatives: CRAVEN of Lewiston, JORGENSEN of Portland, MORALES of South 
Portland, Senator: SANBORN, L. of Cumberland.
Sec. 1.  Department of Health and Human Services to submit waiver.  
Resolved:  That the Department of Health and Human Services shall submit a request to 
the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services no later than October 1, 2019 for approval to amend the 1915(b) 
waiver, rule Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter II, Section 19, to cover 
housing-related services, including housing transition and tenancy sustaining services, to 
individuals with disabilities, older adults needing long-term services and supports and 
persons experiencing chronic homelessness.
Sec. 2.  Department of Health and Human Services to submit waiver.  
Resolved:  That the Department of Health and Human Services shall submit a request to 
the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services no later than October 1, 2019 for approval to amend the 1915(c) 
waiver, rule Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter II, Section 19, to provide 
housing-related services, including housing transition and tenancy sustaining services, to 
individuals with disabilities, older adults needing long-term services and supports and 
persons experiencing chronic homelessness.
Sec. 3.  Department of Health and Human Services to implement waiver.  
Resolved:  That, upon approval of the waiver amendments under sections 1 and 2 from 
the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services, the Department of Health and Human Services shall amend the 
department's rule in Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter II, Section 19 to 
implement the waivers. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules 
pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 4.  Title XIX waivers and state plan amendments; collaboration with 
Maine State Housing Authority; stakeholder group.  Resolved:  That the 
Department of Health and Human Services shall review any waivers or state plan 
amendments available under Title XIX of the United States Social Security Act to 
stabilize access to safe and affordable housing for individuals with disabilities, older 
adults, individuals needing long-term services and supports and persons experiencing 
chronic homelessness through the provision of housing transition, tenancy sustainment 
and case management services.  The department shall collaborate with the Maine State 
Housing Authority to determine how existing Maine State Housing Authority resources 
may be leveraged more effectively to address housing needs under this section.
In performing the review under this section, the department shall examine relevant 
data and evidence-based practices and convene a stakeholder group to solicit input 
regarding methods to improve health outcomes through greater housing stability for 
individuals with disabilities, older adults, individuals needing long-term services and 
supports and persons experiencing chronic homelessness.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Department of Health and Human Services to apply for 
waivers to provide housing-related services, including housing transition and tenancy 
sustaining services, to individuals with disabilities, older adults needing long-term 
services and supports and persons experiencing chronic homelessness under the 1915(b) 
and 1915(c) Medicaid waiver provisions. It also directs the department to amend 
MaineCare rules to implement the waivers once approved. These allowable benefits are  
set forth in the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for 
Medicare and Medicaid Services, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services Informational 
Bulletin dated June 26, 2015 on Coverage of Housing-Related Activities and Services for 
Individuals with Disabilities.
The resolve also directs the department to review any waivers or state plan 
amendments available under Title XIX of the United States Social Security Act to 
stabilize access to safe and affordable housing for individuals with disabilities, older 
adults, individuals needing long-term services and supports and persons experiencing 
chronic homelessness through the provision of housing transition, tenancy sustainment 
and case management services and to collaborate with the Maine State Housing Authority 
to determine how resources may be leveraged more effectively to address housing needs.  
As part of its review, the department is required to convene a stakeholder group to solicit 
input regarding methods to improve health outcomes through greater housing stability.