2. Develop a proposal that requires the decision of whether to place a youth with mental health issues into residential treatment or a day program to be made at the state level and develop a proposal for a permanent commission or process that would administer and oversee the placement and treatment of a youth with mental health issues into a residential treatment or day program; and

3. Develop a funding mechanism by which the State directly pays the cost of a recommended residential treatment or day program for a youth with mental health issues; and be it further

Sec. 5. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the task force may request staffing assistance from the Department of Education and the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services; and be it further

Sec. 6. Expenses. Resolved: That those members of the task force who are Legislators are entitled to receive the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2 and reimbursement of necessary expenses for their attendance at authorized meetings of the task force. Other members of the task force who are not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities whom they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings; and be it further

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, by January 1, 2000, the task force shall submit a report of its findings to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs along with any implementing legislation.

SUMMARY

This resolve establishes the Task Force to Study the Funding of and to Develop an Improved Decision-making Process for the Residential Treatment of Youth with Mental Health Issues. The task force consists of 7 members and is required to: