| | | Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: |
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| | | Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §5107-B, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 696, Pt. B, | | §5, is amended to read: |
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| | | There is established the Long-term Care Steering Committee, | | referred to in this section as the "committee," to provide input | | to the commissioner on all policy initiatives, legislation, laws | | and rules concerning long-term care and assisted living in order | | to ensure that long-term care and assisted living programs | | reflect the needs and preferences of the elderly and individuals | | with disabilities. The committee shall advise the Governor, the | | Legislature and the commissioner on all matters within its | | jurisdiction. |
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| | | Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §5107-B, sub-§§5 and 6 are enacted to read: |
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| | | 5.__Budget.__There is established within the department a | | separate budget line for the committee.__The committee may expend | | the appropriated funds as required to undertake the duties of the | | committee. |
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| | | 6.__Independent status.__The committee is independent of the | | department. |
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| | | This bill establishes the independent status of the Long-term | | Care Steering Committee, enables it to have its own budget line | | within the budget of the Department of Human Services, and | | expands its duties to include input on legislation and advice to | | the Governor, the Legislature and the Commissioner of Human | | Services on all matters within its jurisdiction. |
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