2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 23: TRANSPORTATION › Part 1: STATE HIGHWAY LAW › Chapter 3: OFFICIALS AND THEIR DUTIES › Subchapter 7: RELOCATION ASSISTANCE › 23 §243. Relocation assistance advisory services

§243. Relocation assistance advisory services
1.  Relocation assistance advisory program.
Whenever the acquisition of real property for a department program or project will result in the displacement of any person, the department shall provide a relocation assistance advisory program for displaced persons which shall offer the services described in subsection 2. If the department determines that any person occupying property immediately adjacent to the real property acquired is caused substantial economic injury because of the acquisition, the department may offer the person relocation advisory services under the program.
[PL 1989, c. 208, §§11, 21 (AMD).]
2.  Program to include.
Each relocation assistance advisory program required by subsection 1 shall include such measures, facilities or services as may be necessary or appropriate in order to:
A. Determine and make timely recommendations on the needs and preferences, if any, of displaced persons, for relocation assistance;   [PL 1989, c. 208, §§11, 21 (AMD).]
B. Provide current and continuing information on the availability, sales prices and rental charges of comparable replacement dwellings for displaced homeowners and tenants, and of comparable commercial properties and on suitable locations for displaced businesses and farm operations;   [PL 1989, c. 208, §§11, 21 (AMD).]
C. Assure that, within a reasonable period of time, prior to displacement there will be available, to the extent that can reasonably be accomplished, in areas not generally less desirable in regard to public utilities and public and commercial facilities and at rents or prices within the financial means of the families and individuals displaced, decent, safe and sanitary dwellings, equal in number to the number of and available to the displaced persons who require these dwellings and reasonably accessible to their places of employment;   [PL 1989, c. 208, §§11, 21 (AMD).]
D. Assist a person displaced from that person's business or farm operation in obtaining and becoming established in a suitable replacement location;   [PL 1989, c. 208, §§11, 21 (AMD).]
E. Supply information concerning federal, state and local programs, which may be of assistance to displaced persons, and supply technical assistance to persons in applying for assistance under these programs; and   [PL 1989, c. 208, §§11, 21 (AMD).]
F. Provide other advisory services to displaced persons in order to minimize hardships to such persons in adjusting to relocation.   [PL 1971, c. 333, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 1989, c. 208, §§11, 21 (AMD).]
3.  Coordination.
The department shall coordinate relocation activities with project work, and other planned or proposed federal, state or local agency actions in the community or nearby areas which may affect the efficient and effective carrying out of relocation assistance programs.
[PL 1989, c. 208, §§11, 21 (AMD).]
4.  Renter eligibility.
Notwithstanding section 242, subsection 3, paragraph B, subparagraph(2), in any case in which the department acquires property for a program or project, any person who occupies that property on a rental basis for a short term or for a period subject to termination when the property is needed for the program or project shall be eligible for advisory services to the extent determined by the department.
[PL 1989, c. 208, §§11, 21 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1971, c. 333, §1 (NEW). PL 1971, c. 593, §22 (AMD). PL 1973, c. 625, §130 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 208, §§11,21 (AMD).