Resolve, To Establish a Committee To Examine the Impacts of the 1993 Amendments to General Assistance Program Eligibility

Sec. 1. General Assistance Program Committee. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Health and Human Services shall convene the General Assistance Program Committee, referred to in this resolve as "the committee," to study changes in general assistance program eligibility that occurred as the result of the economic recession of the early 1990s.

In convening the committee, the Commissioner of Health and Human Services shall invite the following 8 members to serve on the committee:

1. Three municipal general assistance program administrators nominated by the Maine Welfare Directors Association, with at least one member representing a municipality of fewer than 3,500 persons;

2. Three advocates representing low-income clients nominated by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's designee;

3. One member nominated by the Maine Equal Justice Partners; and

4. One member nominated by the Maine Municipal Association; and be it further

Sec. 2. Committee duties. Resolved: That the committee shall examine and make recommendations regarding the impact that creating a standard of income eligibility for general assistance of 110% of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development fair market rent values has had on homelessness and poverty in Maine; and be it further

Sec. 3. Reports. Resolved: That the committee shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations no later than January 14, 2008 to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services. Following receipt and review of the final report, the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services may submit legislation based on the report to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature.

summary

This resolve directs the Commissioner of Health and Human Services to convene the General Assistance Program Committee to examine the impact that creating a standard of income eligibility for general assistance of 110% of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rent values has had on homelessness and poverty in Maine. Members of the committee include general assistance program administrators, advocates of low-income clients, a representative from the Maine Municipal Association and a representative from the Maine Equal Justice Partners. The committee must submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services by January 14, 2008.