An Act To Promote Intergovernmental Coordination Regarding Age-friendly State Initiatives
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1547
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: FAY, BAILEY, SHEEHAN, STOVER, TUELL, WHITE, MAXMIN, MOORE
Amends: 5 MRSA §12004-I, 22 MRSA §5107-K

Legislative Document
No. 1547
H.P. 1152
House of Representatives, April 22, 2021
An Act To Promote Intergovernmental Coordination Regarding 
Age-friendly State Initiatives
Received by the Clerk of the House on April 20, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
Health and Human Services pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint 
Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative FAY of Raymond.
Cosponsored by Senator BAILEY of York and
Representatives: SHEEHAN of Biddeford, STOVER of Boothbay, TUELL of East Machias, 
WHITE of Waterville, Senators: MAXMIN of Lincoln, MOORE of Washington.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§2-H is enacted to read:
2-H.   
Aging 
Age-friendly State Steering Committee
Not Authorized
MRSA 
§5107-K
Sec. 2.  22 MRSA §5107-K is enacted to read:
§5107-K.  Age-friendly State Steering Committee
1.  Steering committee established.  The Age-friendly State Steering Committee, as 
established in Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 2-H and referred to in this section as "the 
steering committee," is established to promote intergovernmental coordination to improve 
opportunities for and access to social engagement, communication and information, 
employment, financial security, health care and health coverage, housing, recreation and 
transportation for older residents of the State.
2.  Membership.  The steering committee consists of the following 11 members:
A.  The commissioner or the commissioner's designee;
B.  The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry or the commissioner's 
designee;
C.  The Commissioner of Transportation or the commissioner's designee;
D.  The Commissioner of Labor or the commissioner's designee;
E.  The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development or the 
commissioner's designee;
F.  The Commissioner of Public Safety or the commissioner's designee;
G.  The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee;
H.  A representative of the Governor;
I.  The director of the Maine State Housing Authority or the director's designee;
J.  A representative of the office for family independence within the department 
appointed by the commissioner; and
K.  A representative of the office of aging and disability services within the department 
appointed by the commissioner.
3.  Duties.  The steering committee shall:
A.  Promote coordinated intergovernmental collaboration in meeting the State's policy 
objectives related to older adults and aging in the State, including objectives designed 
to:
(1)  Promote respect, equity and social engagement so people of all ages can 
actively participate in their community;
(2)  Ensure access to information, community services, activities and programs;
(3)  Expand workforce opportunities, retirement education and financial 
protection;
(4)  Ensure affordable access to high-quality health coverage and health care and 
healthy aging and supportive services to maintain independence;
(5)  Ensure the availability of housing opportunities and home modification 
programs;
(6)  Promote natural resources management, outdoor spaces and recreation; and
(7)  Increase the availability of safe and affordable transportation options and 
alternatives to reduce social isolation, support independent living and allow adults 
to age in their communities; and
B.  Review and provide advice to the Governor, the Legislature and other officials of 
State Government on state efforts across state agencies directly related to older adults 
and aging in the State.
4.  Steering committee invitees.  The steering committee may invite members of a 
stakeholder advisory group that participated in the preparation of an age-friendly state plan 
to participate in steering committee meetings.
5.  Staff support.  The office of aging and disability services within the department 
shall provide primary staff support to the steering committee.  State agencies shall provide 
additional staff support, which may include persons working as interns, as requested by the 
steering committee.
6.  Funding.  The steering committee may accept funding received as contributions, 
grants or appropriations from private and public sources to accomplish the duties of the 
steering committee.
7.  Report.  By November 1, 2023 and every 2 years thereafter, the steering committee 
shall submit a report on the steering committee's activities to the joint standing committee 
of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters.
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the Age-friendly State Steering Committee to promote 
intergovernmental coordination to improve opportunities for and access to social 
engagement, communication and information, employment, financial security, health care 
and health coverage, housing, recreation and transportation for older residents of the State.