Resolve, To Create the Frequent Users System Engagement Collaborative
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 0475
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: MORALES

Legislative Document
No. 475
H.P. 349
House of Representatives, February 16, 2021
Resolve, To Create the Frequent Users System Engagement 
Collaborative
(EMERGENCY)
Received by the Clerk of the House on February 11, 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 MORALES of South Portland.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated homelessness for the most 
frequent users of high-cost services, such as psychiatric hospitals, emergency shelters, 
emergency rooms, police, jails and prisons; and
Whereas, this legislation establishes the Frequent Users System Engagement 
Collaborative, which will develop a plan to provide stable housing and community services 
to 200 persons who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and who are frequent users of 
high-cost services; and
Whereas, establishing this collaborative as soon as possible will help to put the stable 
housing and community services plan in place earlier; 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.  Frequent Users System Engagement Collaborative established.  
Resolved:  That the Frequent Users System Engagement Collaborative, referred to in this 
resolve as "the collaborative," is established.
Sec. 2.  Membership.  Resolved:  That the collaborative consists of the director of 
the Maine State Housing Authority or the director's designee, who shall serve as chair, and 
other members appointed by the director as follows:
1.  The Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's designee;
2.  The Commissioner of Corrections or the commissioner's designee;
3.  One member representing the Statewide Homeless Council;
4.  One member representing the Maine Sheriffs' Association;
5.  One member representing providers of emergency health services; and
6.  Any other members with relevant expertise as determined by the director.
Sec. 3.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the collaborative shall develop a plan to provide 
stable housing and community services to 200 persons who are homeless or at risk of 
homelessness who are the most frequent consumers of high-cost services, such as 
psychiatric hospitals, emergency shelters, emergency rooms, police, jails and prisons.
Sec. 4.  Report.  Resolved:  That, no later than January 1, 2022, the collaborative 
shall submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.  The 
report must include the collaborative's plan to provide stable housing and community 
services developed pursuant to section 3, including the cost savings that could be achieved 
by reductions in the use of high-cost services and any recommendations developed by the 
collaborative on providing stable housing and community services to persons consuming 
high-cost services.  The Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services may 
report out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 130th Legislature related to the report.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Frequent Users System Engagement Collaborative in order 
to develop a plan to provide stable housing and community services to 200 persons who 
are homeless or at risk of homelessness who are the most frequent consumers of high-cost 
services, such as psychiatric hospitals, emergency shelters, emergency rooms, police, jails 
and prisons.  The collaborative must submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Health and Human Services no later than January 1, 2022 on its plan and recommendations.  
The Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services is authorized to report out a 
bill to the Second Regular Session of the 130th Legislature related to the report.