Resolve, To Create the Blue Ribbon Commission To Study the Future of Home-based and Community-based Care

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  work to study the unmet needs and financing options of long-term home-based and community-based care must begin before the end of the legislative session because the State has an increasingly elderly population and there is a shortage of long-term home-based and community-based care workers; 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. Blue Ribbon Commission established. Resolved: That the Blue Ribbon Commission To Study Long-term Home-based and Community-based Care, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of 11 members:

1. Five members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows:

2. Five members appointed by the Speaker of the House as follows:

3. One member of the Governor's office designated by the Governor at the Speaker's request; and be it further

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the commission; and be it further

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 completed. Within 15 days after appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission, which must be no later than 30 days following the appointment of all members; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall examine and make recommendations on the development of choices to meet unmet needs and financing options to ensure access to and affordability of long-term home-based and community-based care. Given that the State has the oldest median age of any state in the nation, the commission shall create a coherent blueprint to ensure the sustainability of long-term home-based and community-based care options that provide choice and quality for the State's elderly and disabled citizens, many of whom are eligible for home-based and community-based care services and are not receiving them, forcing them into more costly institutional care; and be it further

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further

Sec. 7. Outside funding. Resolved: That the commission shall seek outside funding to fully fund all costs of the commission and in accordance with the policy of the Legislative Council with regard to outside funding. If sufficient outside funding has not been received by the commission by October 1, 2008 to fully fund all costs of the commission, no meetings are authorized and no expenses of any kind may be incurred or reimbursed; and be it further

Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That, no later than November 5, 2008, the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the First Regular Session of the 124th Legislature; and be it further

Sec. 9. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following appropriations and allocations are made.

LEGISLATURE

Study Commissions - Funding 0444

Initiative: Provides an allocation to the Legislature in fiscal year 2008-09 to fund per diem and other expenses of this study.

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2007-08	2008-09
Personal Services	$0	$1,320
All Other	$0	$2,750
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$0	$4,070

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.