Resolve, to Establish the Commission to Study Oversight and
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1973
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: ROLLINS, MOORE

Legislative Document
No. 1973
H.P. 1317
House of Representatives, May 13, 2025
Resolve, to Establish the Commission to Study Oversight and 
Funding Structures for Recovery Residences and Resident 
Protections
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative ROLLINS of Augusta.
Cosponsored by Senator MOORE of Washington and
Representatives: COLLINS of Sidney, DHALAC of South Portland, HASENFUS of 
Readfield, MILLIKEN of Blue Hill, SAYRE of Kennebunk, Senators: RENY of Lincoln, 
TALBOT ROSS of Cumberland.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the study required by this legislation must be initiated before the 90-day 
period expires in order for the study to be completed and a report to be submitted to the 
Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services in time for submission of 
suggested legislation to the next legislative session; 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 
Oversight and Funding Structures for Recovery Residences and Resident Protections, 
referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established.
Sec. 2.  Commission membership. Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the commission consists of 15 members 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 of Representatives, including a member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest 
number of seats in the Legislature;
3. The Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's designee;
4. The Director of the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future or the director’s 
designee;
5. The following 5 members, appointed by the President of the Senate:
A. A current or former resident of a recovery residence;
B. A person who was evicted, discharged or denied housing within a recovery residence 
due to the use of prescribed medication;
C. An owner or house manager of a recovery residence certified by a state affiliate of 
the National Alliance for Recovery Residences;
D. An owner or house manager of a recovery residence not certified by a state affiliate 
of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences; and
E. A member with experience in recovery residences or support services; and
6. The following 4 members, appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives:
A. A representative of a statewide recovery residence association;
B. A representative from a municipality within which there is a recovery residence that 
has more than 25 beds;
C. A representative of an organization advocating for individuals with substance use 
disorder; and
D. A representative of an organization with expertise in tenant rights or housing 
protections for individuals with disabilities or substance use disorder.
Sec. 3.  Chairs; quorum. Resolved:  That the first-named Senate member is the 
Senate chair of the commission and the first-named House of Representatives member is 
the House chair of the commission.  A quorum of the commission consists of at least 8 
members and is required to begin a meeting of the commission or to hold a vote.
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 made.  After appointment of all members, the 
chairs of the commission 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 conduct a study to:
1. Evaluate options and make policy recommendations for managing general assistance 
costs in recovery residences, including the possibility of expanding or developing new 
state-funded subsidy programs;
2. Evaluate alternative models of oversight structure for recovery residences, including 
voluntary certification, mandatory certification or licensure, and determine the most 
appropriate oversight structure for recovery residences in this State;
3. Evaluate and make recommendations with respect to policies governing the use of 
prescribed medications in recovery residences, such as medication-assisted treatment and 
medical cannabis, with consideration for federal protections under the federal Fair Housing 
Act, 42 United States Code, Chapter 45 and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 
1990;
4. Review the standards and certification requirements for recovery residences 
maintained by the National Alliance for Recovery Residences and provide to the National 
Alliance for Recovery Residences recommendations to improve those standards and 
requirements, which may include recommendations related to appropriate residence size, 
staff-to-resident ratios, staff training and compensation and fair wages; and
5. Consider and make recommendations on any additional topics related to the 
operation of recovery residences that arise during the commission's work.
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance. Resolved:  That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the commission, except that the 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 3, 2025, 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.  After 
reviewing the report, the committee may report out legislation related to the report to the 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Commission to Study Oversight and Funding Structures 
for Recovery Residences and Resident Protections.  The commission is required to evaluate 
various policies and industry standards and make policy recommendations with respect to 
the following: the use of general assistance and the possible expansion or development of 
new state-funded subsidy programs for use at a recovery residence; alternative models of 
oversight structure for recovery residences, including voluntary certification, mandatory 
certification or licensure; and policies related to the use of prescribed medications in 
recovery residences. 
The commission is composed of 15 members, including Legislators, the Commissioner 
of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's designee, the Director of the Office 
of Policy Innovation and the Future or the director's designee and various other members 
who have experience with recovery residences, advocating for individuals with substance 
use disorder or expertise in tenant rights or housing protections for persons with disabilities 
or substance use disorder.
No later than December 3, 2025, the commission is required to submit to the Joint 
Standing Committee on Health and Human Services a report that includes the commission's 
findings and recommendations, including any suggested legislation.  The committee may 
report out a bill related to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.