Resolve, to Study the Impact of Divorce, Child Support Issues and Custody Issues on Children, Parents, Health, Poverty and Housing Insecurity
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1024
Committee: Judiciary
Sponsors: ARATA, KEIM, COLLINGS, DANA, FAULKINGHAM, LIBBY, QUINT, RANA, SAMPSON, STOVER

Legislative Document
No. 1024
H.P. 660
House of Representatives, March 7, 2023
Resolve, to Study the Impact of Divorce, Child Support Issues and 
Custody Issues on Children, Parents, Health, Poverty and Housing 
Insecurity
Reference to the Committee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative ARATA of New Gloucester.
Cosponsored by Senator KEIM of Oxford and
Representatives: COLLINGS of Portland, DANA of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, 
FAULKINGHAM of Winter Harbor, LIBBY of Auburn, QUINT of Hodgdon, RANA of 
Bangor, SAMPSON of Alfred, STOVER of Boothbay.
Sec. 1.  Commission established.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the Study Commission on the Impact of Divorce, Child Support Issues and Custody 
Issues on Children, Parents, Health, Poverty and Housing Insecurity referred to in this 
resolve as "the commission," is established.
Sec. 2.  Commission membership.  Resolved:  That the commission consists of 
members appointed as follows:
1.  Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including a 
member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;
2.  Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, including a member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats 
in the Legislature;
3. One member appointed by the President of the Senate who is an advocate for or a 
professional working with indigent families;
4. One member appointed by the President of the Senate who is an advocate for or a 
professional working with homeless families;
5. One member appointed by the President of the Senate who is an advocate for or a 
professional working with victims of domestic violence;
6. One member appointed by the President of the Senate who is a professional working 
in the area of nutrition;
7. One member appointed by the President of the Senate who is an advocate for or a 
professional working with children;
8. One member appointed by the Speaker of the House who is a professional working 
in the area of human development;
9. One member appointed by the Speaker of the House who represents an organization 
of physicians;
10. One member appointed by the Speaker of the House who represents an organization 
of therapists or psychologists;
11. One member appointed by the Speaker of the House who represents law 
enforcement; and
12. One member appointed by the Speaker of the House who represents a faith-based 
organization.
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 the impact of divorce, 
child support issues and custody issues on children, parents, health, poverty and housing 
insecurity.
Sec. 6.  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. 7.  Report.  Resolved:  That, no later than December 6, 2023, the commission 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.
Sec. 8.  Outside funding.  Resolved:  That the commission shall seek funding 
contributions to fully fund the costs of the study.  All funding is subject to approval by the 
Legislative Council in accordance with its policies.  If sufficient contributions to fund the 
study have not been received within 30 days after the effective date of this resolve, no 
meetings are authorized and no expenses of any kind may be incurred or reimbursed.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Study Commission on the Impact of Divorce, Child 
Support Issues and Custody Issues on Children, Parents, Health, Poverty and Housing 
Insecurity.