Resolve, To Establish the Task Force To Better Coordinate the Protection of Vulnerable Populations
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1180
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: BERRY, GRATWICK, BRENNAN, CRAVEN, DENK, MORALES, NEWELL, WARREN, CARPENTER, MOORE

Legislative Document
No. 1180
H.P. 854
House of Representatives, March 12, 2019
Resolve, To Establish the Task Force To Better Coordinate the 
Protection of Vulnerable Populations
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham.
Cosponsored by Senator GRATWICK of Penobscot and
Representatives: BRENNAN of Portland, CRAVEN of Lewiston, DENK of Kennebunk, 
MORALES of South Portland, NEWELL of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, WARREN of 
Hallowell, Senators: CARPENTER of Aroostook, MOORE of Washington.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, many departments and agencies of government, including the Department 
of Health and Human Services, the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of 
Public Safety, occupational licensing boards and the district attorneys, share 
responsibility for investigating allegations of abuse and neglect of vulnerable populations; 
and
Whereas, it is critical that the many governmental entities that are charged with this 
duty work together when possible to share information and coordinate responsibilities; 
and
Whereas, this legislation creates the Task Force To Better Coordinate the Protection 
of Vulnerable Populations, which is directed to identify areas of improvement in the 
coordination of information and processes of the entities that investigate allegations of 
abuse and neglect; and
Whereas, the task force's 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 established.  Resolved:  That the Task Force To Better 
Coordinate the Protection of Vulnerable Populations, referred to in this resolve as "the 
task force," is established to identify areas of improvement in the coordination of 
information and processes of the entities that investigate allegations of abuse and neglect.
Sec. 2.  Task force  membership.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the task force consists of 15 members as follows:
1.  Four members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows:
A.  One member of the Senate who serves on the Joint Standing Committee on 
Health and Human Services;
B.  One member of the Senate who serves on the Joint Standing Committee on 
Criminal Justice and Public Safety;
C.  One member who represents an advocacy organization for people with low 
income in the State; and
D.  One member who represents an advocacy organization for people with disabilities 
in the State;
2.  Four members appointed by the Speaker of the House as follows:
A.  One member of the House of Representatives who serves on the Joint Standing 
Committee on Health and Human Services;
B.  One member of the House of Representatives who serves on the Joint Standing 
Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety;
C.  One member who represents an advocacy organization for seniors; and
D. One member who represents an advocacy organization for people with 
developmental disabilities in the State;
3.  Four members appointed by the Governor as follows:
A.  One member who represents an organization that provides training and support to 
parents of children with disabilities or special health care needs and the professionals 
who work with the families;
B.  One member who represents an advocacy organization for people with 
developmental disabilities;
C.  One member representing the long-term care ombudsman program; and
D.  One member representing the State Board of Nursing;
4.  The Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's designee;
5.  The Commissioner of Public Safety or the commissioner's designee; and
6.  The Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee.
Sec. 3.  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.
Sec. 4.  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.
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the task force shall identify areas of improvement 
in the coordination of information and processes of the entities, including but not limited 
to the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Public Safety, 
occupational licensing boards, the Office of the Attorney General and the district 
attorneys, that investigate allegations of abuse and neglect of vulnerable populations.  The 
study conducted by the task force must include, but is not limited to:
1.  A review of the coordination and information sharing that exists between 
governmental entities that are charged with the responsibility of receiving complaints of 
abuse or neglect of vulnerable populations and investigating and acting on those 
complaints and an analysis of the potential for greater coordination and sharing of data 
and information;
2.  An examination of the many different gateways through which an allegation of 
abuse or neglect may be filed and the absence of clear jurisdictional primacy over such 
allegations and whether these issues have an impact on the ultimate resolution of such 
allegations;
3.  An analysis of the definitional and language differences in statutes and rules 
regarding abuse and neglect and the impact of such differences; and
4.  A review of any additional issues associated with training, staffing and funding 
experienced by governmental entities charged with the responsibility of receiving 
complaints of abuse or neglect of vulnerable populations.
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Department of Health and Human 
Services shall provide the task force with staff assistance and access to any 
nonconfidential aggregate information necessary for the task force to carry out its duties.
Sec. 7.  Report.  Resolved:  That, no later than December 4, 2019, 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.
The Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services may submit a bill 
related to this report to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Task Force To Better Coordinate the Protection of 
Vulnerable Populations to identify areas of improvement in the coordination of 
information and processes of the entities that investigate allegations of abuse and neglect. 
The task force must report its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services by December 
4, 2019.