Resolve, Directing the Maine State Housing Authority To Engage Stakeholders in an Examination of Fair Chance Housing Policy Options
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1201
Committee: Labor and Housing
Sponsors: TALBOT ROSS

Legislative Document
No. 1201
H.P. 879
House of Representatives, March 22, 2021
Resolve, Directing the Maine State Housing Authority To Engage 
Stakeholders in an Examination of Fair Chance Housing Policy 
Options
Received by the Clerk of the House on March 18, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
Labor and Housing 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.
Sec. 1.  Fair chance housing examination. Resolved:  That the Maine State 
Housing Authority shall in collaboration with stakeholders examine fair chance housing 
policies considered or adopted in other jurisdictions. This examination must consider 
policies that may be adopted in the State to address housing issues for formerly incarcerated 
individuals and to expand housing opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals 
without creating an excessive burden for housing providers. 
The authority shall invite stakeholders that include but are not limited to:
1.  Formerly incarcerated individuals;
2.  Housing providers that own, lease or manage residential housing units that:
A.  Are owned or subsidized by the Federal Government or the State; or
B.  Are financed in whole or part by government subsidies or tax credits; 
3.  Landlords or representatives of statewide organizations representing landowners 
and property managers;
4.  Representatives from a statewide organization that represents the interests of 
currently incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals;
5.  Representatives from a statewide civil legal aid and economic justice organization;
6.  Representatives of civil rights organizations whose primary mission is racial equity 
and justice; and
7.  Representatives of organizations that advocate for residents of the State in the 
following areas:
A.  Disability rights;
B.  Mental health;
C.  Substance use disorder and recovery; and
D.  Homelessness.
Sec. 2. Report. Resolved:  That no later than February 15, 2022 the Maine State 
Housing Authority shall submit a report that includes findings and recommendations to the 
Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing.  The report must include a summary of 
any meetings that occur pursuant to section 1, a list of participants in the examination of 
fair chance housing policies, suggestions to increase the awareness among housing 
providers of the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals in finding housing 
and any other relevant information. The report may include suggested legislation.  The 
Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing may report out legislation to the Second 
Regular Session of the 130th Legislature based on the report. 
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Maine State Housing Authority in collaboration with 
stakeholders to examine fair chance housing policies considered or adopted in other 
jurisdictions to evaluate options for the State to adopt that would address housing issues 
and expand housing opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals without placing an 
excessive burden on housing providers.  It requires the authority to submit a report to the 
Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing that includes findings and 
recommendations and includes a summary of any meetings that occur regarding the 
examination, a list of participants in the examination, suggestions to increase the awareness 
among housing providers of the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals in 
finding housing and any other relevant information.  It allows the authority to include 
suggested legislation in its report.  Lastly, it allows the Joint Standing Committee on Labor 
and Housing to report out legislation based on the report.