Sec. 6. Functions and duties; rules, guidelines, policies and manuals. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary and in accordance with Public Law 2003, chapter 689, the units established within the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22-A, section 201, subsection 2 shall assume the functions and the duties of the bureaus, divisions and offices established under Title 22 and Title 34-B and the Office of Substance Abuse established under Title 5, chapter 521. Notwithstanding Title 5, chapter 375 and in accordance with Public Law 2003, chapter 689, Part B, section 1, all rules, guidelines, policies, manuals and similar documents adopted by or distributed by either the former Department of Human Services or the former Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services that are in effect as of the effective date of this Act remain in effect until rescinded, revised or amended, without regard to references therein to departmental offices, bureaus, divisions, units or employee titles or classifications that may no longer exist or that may be changed in the future.

SUMMARY

This bill furthers the transition to the new Department of Health and Human Services as follows.

1. It eliminates from the law governing salary ranges certain now-defunct positions from the former Department of Human Services and the former Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services.

2. It establishes the salaries of the Deputy Commissioner of Integrated Services and the Deputy Commissioner of Health, Integrated Access and Strategy in the Department of Health and Human Services.

3. It establishes a number of positions as major policy- influencing positions within the Department of Health and Human Services.

4. It establishes within the department the Health, Integrated Access and Strategy Unit; the Operations and Support Unit; the Finance Unit; and the Integrated Services Unit.

5. It directs the Commissioner of Health and Human Services to create a new budget and financial management system and reporting structure for the department.