1. Late-deafened adults and the elderly deaf;

2. State agency compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act;

3. Availability of community services in all regions of the State;

4. Advocacy and other needs in areas of housing, education, legal aid, health care and social services;

5. Emergency response and management;

6. Public safety;

7. Independent living service needs for the deaf with mental retardation and mental health needs;

8. Telecommunications; and

9. Interpreter services generally.

Sec. C-2. Recommendations. The Commissioner of Labor, in consultation with the members of the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, the advisory council for the Division of Deafness, 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 December 1, 1999 for statutory changes, reorganization or restructuring and funding as necessary to carry out these recommendations. The Joint Standing Committee on Labor may report out legislation as necessary to implement the recommendations of the Commissioner of Labor to the Second Regular Session of the 119th Legislature.