Resolve, To Study Housing Options for Persons with Mental Health Challenges and Substance Use Disorder
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0964
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: BEEBE-CENTER, MOORE, COREY, EVANGELOS, HYMANSON, MADIGAN, STOVER, SYLVESTER, ROSEN

Legislative Document
No. 964
H.P. 719
House of Representatives, February 21, 2019
Resolve, To Study Housing Options for Persons with Mental Health 
Challenges and Substance Use Disorder
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative BEEBE-CENTER of Rockland.
Cosponsored by Senator MOORE of Washington and
Representatives: COREY of Windham, EVANGELOS of Friendship, HYMANSON of York, 
MADIGAN of Waterville, STOVER of Boothbay, SYLVESTER of Portland, Senator: ROSEN 
of Hancock.
Sec. 1.  Study Commission to Assess Housing Needs of Persons with 
Mental Health Challenges and Substance Use Disorder established.  
Resolved:  That the Study Commission to Assess Housing Needs of Persons with 
Mental Health Challenges and Substance Use Disorder, referred to in this resolve as "the 
study commission," is established.
Sec. 2.  Study commission membership.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding 
Joint Rule 353, the study commission consists of 9 members as follows:
1.  One member of the Senate who is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on 
Health and Human Services, appointed by the President of the Senate;
2.  One member of the House of Representatives who is a member of the Joint 
Standing Committee on Health and Human Services, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House;
3.  A representative of the Consumer Council System of Maine, appointed by the 
President of the Senate from a list of members submitted by the Consumer Council 
System of Maine;
4.  A representative of Homeless Voices for Justice, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House from a list of advocates submitted by Homeless Voices for Justice;
5.  A representative of Disability Rights Maine, appointed by the President of the 
Senate from a list of members submitted by Disability Rights Maine;
6.  A representative of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, appointed by the 
Speaker of the House from a list of advocates submitted by the National Alliance on 
Mental Illness;
7.  A representative of the Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services, Maine 
appointed by the Speaker of the House from a list of advocates submitted by the Alliance 
for Addiction and Mental Health Services, Maine; and
8.  Two employees of the Department of Health and Human Services, one from the 
office of substance abuse and mental health services and one from Riverview Psychiatric 
Center, both appointed by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services.
Sec. 3.  Chairs.  Resolved:  That the Senate member is the Senate chair and the 
House of Representatives member is the House chair of the study commission.
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of study 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 study 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 study commission to meet and conduct its business.
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the study commission shall assess the housing 
needs of persons who are living with mental health challenges and who have substance 
use disorder.  The study commission shall focus on the needs of such individuals in rural 
areas of the State.  The study commission shall explore methods of expanding the options 
and availability of housing for such individuals, including options that support the unique 
housing needs of such individuals.
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the 
Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the study commission, 
except that Legislative Council staff support is not authorized when the Legislature is in 
regular or special session.
Sec. 7.  Report.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, no later than 
January 15, 2020, the study 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 Study Commission to Assess Housing Needs of Persons 
with Mental Health Challenges and Substance Use Disorder and requires the study 
commission to assess the housing needs of persons who are living with mental health 
challenges and who have substance use disorder, with a focus on the needs of such 
individuals located in rural Maine.  The study commission is required to explore methods 
of expanding the options and availability of housing for such individuals, including 
options that support the unique housing needs of such individuals, and report its findings 
and recommendations to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.