3. Appointments; convening of commission; meetings. All appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The Executive Director of the Legislative Council must be notified by all appointing authorities once the selections have been made. When the appointment of all members has been completed, the chairs of the commission shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission no later than 10 days after all members have been appointed. The commission may hold up to 6 meetings.

4. Duties. The commission shall study special education laws under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, chapter 101. In conducting the study, the commission shall assess and consider strategies to improve education plans for special needs children, improve the management and coordination of all service providers and improve coordination of services between the Department of Education and the Department of Human Services. The commission shall also establish a plan to create regional citizen panels to strengthen parental advocacy, provide an opportunity for input from all interested parties and provide oversight of the Department of Human Services and the Department of Education.

In conducting the study, the commission may:

A. Hold informational sessions for discussions with knowledgeable persons;

B. Conduct, summarize and analyze the results of a literature search;

C. Conduct, tabulate and analyze the results of a survey of the public or affected persons and groups;

D. Procure and analyze relevant data;

E. Conduct legal research and prepare opinions on legal questions within the scope of the study; and

F. Determine and summarize the legislative actions or governmental programs undertaken in other jurisdictions related to issues within the scope of the study.

5. Staff assistance. Upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission.

6. Compensation. The members of the commission who are Legislators are entitled to the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings of the commission. Other members of the commission who are not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings.

7. Report. The commission shall submit its report, together with any necessary implementing legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature no later than January 15, 2002. If the commission requires a limited extension of time to conclude its work, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension.

8. Budget. The chairs of the commission, with assistance from the Legislative Council staff, shall administer the commission's budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the commission shall present a work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for approval. The commission may not incur expenses that would result in the commission exceeding its approved budget. Upon request from the commission, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall promptly provide the commission chairs and staff with a status report on the commission's budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds.

SUMMARY

This resolve establishes the Blue Ribbon Commission to Review Special Education Laws to report back to the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature.