created

There is established within the Corps the State Environmental Resource Volunteer Effort Program, referred to in this subchapter as "SERVE/Maine," to create, promote and manage volunteer and intern opportunities with public agencies that are responsible for protecting, developing, managing or preserving the State's natural resources.

§2192. Volunteer insurance

The State Environmental Resource Volunteer Effort Program must ensure that volunteers are covered by workplace injury and liability insurance.

§2193. Types of volunteer or intern services

Volunteers and interns may perform work and services that are described in section 2183. Volunteers and interns must be placed in federal, state or local public agencies or in nonprofit organizations and perform work or services that benefit the public. The volunteer and intern positions must be sponsored by natural resource-related agencies or organizations. Volunteers or interns may not attempt to influence legislation, engage in protests, petitions, boycotts, strikes, union organizing, political campaigning or support religious activities or religious proselytizing or engage in fund raising for private nonprofit organizations as SERVE/Maine volunteers or interns. A sponsoring agency must contribute to a volunteer or intern position by providing all necessary supervision, supplies, equipment and plans required for the position.

§2195. Monetary contributions to the volunteer and intern program

Private organizations and individuals may donate money to the State Environmental Resource Volunteer Effort Program for general or specific purposes. The funds must be expended to further the purposes of the program.

SUMMARY

This bill updates the laws governing the Maine Conservation Corps to encourage greater diversity among participants, to allow partnerships between the Corps and private nonprofit organizations and to clarify the types of activities in which program participants may participate.