S.P. 721 - L.D. 1964
Resolve, to Ensure that Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Are Provided in an Efficient, Accessible and Cost-effective Manner
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, it is vitally necessary to determine the proper level and type of services needed by the population of persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing; 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. Commissioner of Labor to review Division of Deafness. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Labor shall review the mission and services provided by the Division of Deafness within the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Department of Labor. Specifically, the commissioner shall assess:
1. The extent to which the statutory responsibilities of the Division of Deafness, as set forth in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 26, chapter 19, subchapter II, article II, are currently being met;
2. The population of persons who are deaf and hard-of-hearing who could be served by the division and the extent to which this population currently accesses services provided by the Department of Labor and the Division of Deafness within the department;
3. The funds expended serving persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and whether this funding is commensurate with the identified need, and with the funding for services for persons who are nondeaf disabled or the general population; and
4. Identification of the core needs for which services should be provided by the State for persons who are deaf and hard-of-hearing, the funding necessary to meet those needs and the most appropriate means of providing those services; and be it further
Sec. 2. Recommendations. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Labor, in consultation with the members of the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, the Deaf Advisory Council, the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf, advocacy groups and organizations representing persons who are deaf and hard-of-hearing, and all affected agencies, including but not limited to the Department of Corrections, the Department of Education, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Transportation, the Maine Emergency Management Agency, the Maine Turnpike Authority and the Public Utilities Commission, shall make recommendations to the Governor and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over labor matters by September 15, 1998 for statutory changes, reorganization or restructuring, and funding as necessary to carry out these recommendations. The joint standing committee may report out legislation as necessary to implement the recommendations of the commissioner to the First Regular Session of the 119th Legislature.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved.
Effective March 12, 1998.
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