An Act to Create Housing and Recovery Services for LGBTQIA+
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1328
Committee: Housing and Economic Development
Sponsors: OSHER, HICKMAN
Amends: 5 MRSA §20059

Legislative Document
No. 1328
H.P. 863
House of Representatives, March 27, 2025
An Act to Create Housing and Recovery Services for LGBTQIA+ 
Individuals
Reference to the Committee on Housing and Economic Development suggested and 
ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative OSHER of Orono.
Cosponsored by Senator HICKMAN of Kennebec and
Representatives: GOLEK of Harpswell, MILLIKEN of Blue Hill, MOONEN of Portland, 
RANA of Bangor, SATO of Gorham, SUPICA of Bangor, Senators: BEEBE-CENTER of 
Knox, TIPPING of Penobscot.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  5 MRSA §20059 is enacted to read:
§20059.  Recovery residences for LGBTQIA+ individuals; fund established
1. Recovery residences for LGBTQIA+ individuals. The Maine State Housing 
Authority shall contract for the operation of at least 3 recovery residences certified in 
accordance with section 20057 that are led and governed by individuals in recovery from 
substance use disorder and that identify as LGBTQIA+ and provide services to LGBTQIA+ 
individuals recovering from substance use disorder and other individuals recovering from 
substance use disorder, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, that meets the 
criteria established by the Maine State Housing Authority. For purposes of this section, 
"LGBTQIA+" includes, but is not limited to, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, 
questioning, intersex and asexual.
2. Location. Of the certified recovery residences contracted pursuant to subsection 1, 
one must be in a locality with a population of 60,000 or greater; one must be in a locality 
with a population between 20,000 and 59,999; and one must be in a locality with a 
population of less than 20,000.
3. Services. A certified recovery residence contracted under this section must provide 
the following:
A. A central shared living and meeting space;
B. Recovery support services based on the needs of each resident; and
C. Support services specifically designed to address the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ 
individuals.
4. Staffing. Each certified recovery residence contracted under this section must be 
staffed by at least 2 peer-to-peer support staff members who are certified in intentional peer 
support and peer recovery coaching and who are paid at least livable wages, as defined in 
Title 26, section 1-A.
5. Fund established. The LGBTQIA+ Recovery Residence Fund is established as a 
nonlapsing fund within the Maine State Housing Authority to receive funds to support the 
activities described in this section and may accept private donations. The Maine State 
Housing Authority shall distribute funds through a competitive bid process to grantees. The 
Maine State Housing Authority shall adopt rules establishing criteria for the competitive 
bid process and for the distribution of funds to grantees under this subsection.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Maine State Housing Authority to contract for the operation of at 
least 3 certified recovery residences that are led and governed by people in recovery from 
substance use disorder that identify as LGBTQIA+ and provide services to LGBTQIA+ 
individuals recovering from substance use disorder and other individuals recovering from 
substance use disorder, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, that meet the 
criteria established by the Maine State Housing Authority. The bill establishes 
requirements based on population for the location of the contracted certified recovery 
residences and staffing requirements and establishes the LGBTQIA+ Recovery Residence 
Fund within the Maine State Housing Authority.