Resolve, to Establish the Commission to Study the Delivery of Services to Children and Families
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1754
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: CURRY, GRAHAM, BENNETT, HICKMAN, INGWERSEN, SHAGOURY, STOVER

Legislative Document
No. 1754
S.P. 700
In Senate, April 20, 2023
Resolve, to Establish the Commission to Study the Delivery of 
Services to Children and Families
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator CURRY of Waldo.
Cosponsored by Representative GRAHAM of North Yarmouth and
Senators: BENNETT of Oxford, HICKMAN of Kennebec, INGWERSEN of York, 
Representatives: SHAGOURY of Hallowell, STOVER of Boothbay.
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 establishes the Commission to Study the Delivery of 
Services to Children and Families to study issues relating to establishing a new state 
department focused solely on improving services for children and families; and
Whereas, this legislation must take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period 
so that the commission may timely meet and make its report to the Legislature; 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. Commission established.  Resolved:  That the Commission to Study the 
Delivery of Services to Children and Families, referred to in this resolve as "the 
commission," is established.
Sec. 2. Commission membership.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the commission consists of the following 15 members:
1.  Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including one 
member of the party holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature and one member 
of the party holding the 2nd largest number of seats in the Legislature;
2.  Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, including one member of the party holding the largest number 
of seats in the Legislature and one member of the party holding the 2nd largest number of 
seats in the Legislature;
3.  One member who is an expert on improving access to early childhood care and 
education, appointed by the President of the Senate;
4.  One member who is an expert on improving outcomes for children and families who 
have received services from multiple state agencies, appointed by the President of the 
Senate;
5.   Two members who are parents with experience accessing state services, one 
appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives;
6.  One member who is an expert on improving outcomes for children receiving child 
welfare services, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
7.  One member of a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or band in the State, 
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives based on the joint 
recommendations of the tribal governments of the Mi'kmaq Nation, the Houlton Band of 
Maliseet Indians, the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomikuk, the Passamaquoddy Tribe 
at Sipayik and the Penobscot Nation. If the tribal governments do not make a unanimous 
joint recommendation, the Speaker of the House shall appoint one member of a federally 
recognized Indian nation, tribe or band in the State;
8.  One member who is a representative of a statewide organization representing Head 
Start programs in the State, appointed by the Governor;
9.  One member who is a member of the Juvenile Justice Advisory Group under the 
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 34-A, section 1209, appointed by the Governor;
10.  The Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's designee;
11.  The Director of the Office of Child and Family Services within the Department of 
Health and Human Services or the director's designee; and
12.  The State Director of Child Development Services within the Department of 
Education or the director's designee.
Sec. 3. Chairs.  Resolved:  That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair 
and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the 
commission.
Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of 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 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 commission to meet and conduct its business.
Sec. 5. Duties.  Resolved:  That the commission shall study issues relating to 
establishing a new state department focused solely on improving services for children and 
families.  The study must include a review of various methods for reorganizing the structure 
of state services for children and families.
Sec. 6. Work groups and agency assistance.  Resolved:  That the commission 
may form work groups composed of community-based providers, children, foster and 
adoptive parents and individuals with expertise in organizational restructuring.  Upon 
request from the commission, a state agency, board or commission shall provide assistance 
to the commission, including providing data that is public and not confidential.
Sec. 7. Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the commission, except that Legislative Council staff support 
is not authorized when the Legislature is in regular or special session.
Sec. 8. Report.  Resolved:  That, no later than December 6, 2023, the commission 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.  The report 
must include a proposed reorganization of state services for children and families; 
identification of the agencies, commissions and other functions of State Government that 
should be included in the new department; a clear mission statement for the new 
department; estimated costs for the proposed reorganization, including costs related to 
information technology and capital costs; a process for managing the proposed 
reorganization, including the involvement of regional management and staff; and 
measurable benchmarks for assessing the effectiveness of the proposed reorganization.  
The committee may submit legislation related to the report to the Second Regular Session 
of the 131st Legislature.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve creates the Commission to Study the Delivery of Services to Children and 
Families to study issues related to establishing a new state department focused solely on 
improving services for children and families.  The commission must submit a report to the 
Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services and the committee is authorized 
to submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.