Resolve, to Establish the Blue Ribbon Commission to Study the Organization of and Service Delivery by the Department of Health and Human Services
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 0915
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: SHAGOURY, MOORE, CLOUTIER, CRAVEN, MADIGAN, MILLETT, TERRY, BALDACCI, BENNETT, HICKMAN

Legislative Document
No. 915
H.P. 571
House of Representatives, March 2, 2023
Resolve, to Establish the Blue Ribbon Commission to Study the 
Organization of and Service Delivery by the Department of Health 
and Human Services
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative SHAGOURY of Hallowell.
Cosponsored by Senator MOORE of Washington and
Representatives: CLOUTIER of Lewiston, CRAVEN of Lewiston, MADIGAN of Waterville, 
MILLETT of Waterford, TERRY of Gorham, Senators: BALDACCI of Penobscot, BENNETT 
of Oxford, HICKMAN of Kennebec.
Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That the Blue Ribbon Commission to 
Study the Organization of and Service Delivery by the Department of Health and Human 
Services, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established.
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the commission consists of 13 members as follows:
1. The Commissioner of Health and Human Services, or the commissioner's designee;
2. Two departmental directors within the Department of Health and Human Services, 
appointed by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services;
3.  Two members appointed by the President of the Senate who are members of the 
Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services;
4. Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives who are 
members of the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services;
5. One member appointed by the President of the Senate who represents an 
organization that advocates for individuals with disabilities;
6. One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives who 
represents an organization that represents at-risk groups served by the Department of 
Health and Human Services;
7.  One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives who 
represents an organization that advocates for individuals who are affected by mental health 
disorders;
8. One member of the public appointed by the President of the Senate; and
9. One member of the public appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the first-named 
Senate member of the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services and the 
first-named House member of the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human 
Services shall serve as cochairs of the commission.
Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of commission. Resolved: That, 
notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, 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 examine the organizational 
structure of the Department of Health and Human Services and the services provided by 
the department. The commission shall review the organizational structure of and service 
delivery at similar agencies in other states and in nongovernmental organizations.
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the Office 
of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability shall provide support and 
necessary staffing services to the commission.
Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 1, 2024, the commission 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over health and human services matters. The committee may submit legislation 
to the 132nd Legislature in 2025.
SUMMARY
This resolve creates the Blue Ribbon Commission to Study the Organization of and 
Service Delivery by the Department of Health and Human Services to examine the 
organizational structure of the Department of Health and Human Services and the services 
provided by the department and review the organizational structure of and service delivery 
at similar agencies in other states and in nongovernmental organizations.