Resolve, To Require the Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine State Housing Authority To Create Efficiencies in Existing Services for Persons Who Are Homeless

Sec. 1. Convene working group. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services, referred to in this resolve as "the department," and the Maine State Housing Authority, referred to in this resolve as "the authority," shall convene a working group consisting of representatives of the department, the authority, the Statewide Homeless Council under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, chapter 202, subchapter 5-A and providers of emergency shelter for persons who are homeless to review the services delivered to persons who are homeless, with the purpose of creating efficiencies while maintaining flexibility. The Commissioner of Health and Human Services and the director of the authority shall name 2 cochairs to convene and lead the working group. One chair must represent the department and one chair must represent the authority. The cochairs shall select 7 to 9 members for the working group based on criteria established by the department and the authority; and be it further

Sec. 2. Review. Resolved: That the working group under section 1 shall review all programs and services for persons who are homeless managed by the authority, including the Continuums of Care, the Homeless Management Information System, emergency shelter grants and the shelter operating subsidy program, and those managed by the department, including all homeless housing development and subsidy programs, resources and services presently operated by the department, including Shelter Plus Care and the Bridging Rental Assistance Program.

In conducting its review, the working group shall:

1. Identify a strategy to monitor the progress of integrating the resources, services and persons who are homeless into the existing structures, in an effort to ensure that persons who are homeless receive the services for which they are entitled in a timely fashion;

2. Advise the Legislature regarding the progress of its efforts and recommend further organizational adjustments necessary to create efficiencies in the delivery of services to persons who are homeless; and

3. Ensure that the Legislature is provided with timely and accurate information regarding the integration of services for persons who are homeless into the existing structure and service mix; and be it further

Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That, by January 1, 2010, the department and the authority shall report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services the findings and recommendations of the working group under section 1, including any necessary implementing legislation; and be it further

Sec. 4. Legislation. Resolved: That, after receipt and review of the report and recommendations submitted pursuant to section 3, the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services may submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature.

SUMMARY

This resolve directs the Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine State Housing Authority to convene a working group to review the services delivered to persons who are homeless, with the purpose of creating efficiencies while maintaining flexibility. The department and the authority shall submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services by January 1, 2010. The Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services may submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature.