An Act To Alleviate the Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 and Public Health Outcomes
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1548
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: TALBOT ROSS, CRAVEN
Amends: 37-B MRSA §747

Legislative Document
No. 1548
H.P. 1153
House of Representatives, April 22, 2021
An Act To Alleviate the Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 and 
Public Health Outcomes
(EMERGENCY)
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 TALBOT ROSS of Portland.
Cosponsored by Representative: CRAVEN of Lewiston.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day 
period to ensure that certain funds received from the Federal Government due to the 
COVID-19 pandemic are directed to the appropriate use; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  37-B MRSA §747 is enacted to read:
§747.  Federal funds received due to the COVID-19 pandemic and appropriated to 
the Department of Health and Human Services
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 744 and Title 5, section 1669, at least 10% 
of discretionary funds not otherwise earmarked prior to the effective date of this section 
that are received directly by the State from the Federal Government due to the pandemic 
related to coronavirus disease 2019, also known as COVID-19, and that are appropriated 
or otherwise directed to the Department of Health and Human Services, referred to in this 
section as "the department," must be used by the department to address the needs of 
historically marginalized racial communities in the State.  Prior to using or obligating the 
funds, the department shall consult with and accept recommendations from the Permanent 
Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal Populations, established 
by Title 5, section 12004‑I, subsection 74‑J, to ensure the funds are used to address the 
needs of historically marginalized racial communities in the State.  By December 15, 2021 
and every 6 months thereafter until all of the funds have been used or obligated by the 
department, the department shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters on the use of the 
funds.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill requires that at least 10% of discretionary funds that are received directly by 
the State from the Federal Government due to the pandemic related to COVID-19 and that 
are appropriated or otherwise directed to the Department of Health and Human Services be 
used by the department to address the needs of historically marginalized racial communities 
in the State.  The bill requires the department to consult with and accept recommendations 
from the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal 
Populations to ensure the funds are used to address the needs of historically marginalized 
racial communities in the State.  It also requires the department to submit a report to the 
joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human 
services matters on the use of the funds by December 15, 2021 and every 6 months 
thereafter.