Resolve, Establishing a Commission To Reform Child Protective Services (AFTER DEADLINE)
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1554
Committee: Judiciary
Sponsors: DIAMOND, BELLOWS, CARPENTER

Legislative Document
No. 1554
S.P. 489
In Senate, April 16, 2019
Resolve, Establishing a Commission To Reform Child Protective 
Services
(AFTER DEADLINE)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205.
Reference to the Committee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator DIAMOND of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Senators: BELLOWS of Kennebec, CARPENTER of Aroostook.
Sec. 1.  Commission established.  Resolved:  That the Commission To Reform 
Child Protective Services, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established.
Sec. 2.  Commission membership.  Resolved:  That the commission consists of 
members appointed as follows:
1.  Three members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including 
no more than 2 members from the party holding the largest number of seats in the Senate 
and no more than one member from the party holding the 2nd largest number of seats in 
the Senate; and
2.  Ten members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, including no more than 6 members from the party holding the 
largest number of seats in the House of Representatives and no more than 4 members 
from the party holding the 2nd largest number of seats in the House of Representatives.
In making their appointments under this section, the President of the Senate and the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives shall consider including members of the Joint 
Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety and the Joint Standing 
Committee on Health and Human Services.  Nothing in this section precludes the 
appointment of a member who is not a member of the party holding the largest number of 
seats or the 2nd largest number of seats in the chamber.
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 
commission.
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of commission.  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 commission.  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 commission to meet and conduct its business.
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the commission shall study and hold public 
hearings on reforms to the laws governing the protection of vulnerable children in state 
care.
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the commission, except that Legislative Council staff 
support is not authorized when the Legislature is in regular or special session.  The chairs 
of the committee may request technical assistance from appropriate sources whenever 
necessary.
Sec. 7.  Report.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, no later than 
February 1, 2020, the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and 
recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular 
Session of the 129th Legislature.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Commission To Reform Child Protective Services.  The 
commission is required to submit a report, including suggested legislation, for 
presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.