Resolve, To Study Housing Options for Persons with Mental Health Challenges and Substance Use Disorder

Sec. 1. Study Commission to Assess Housing Needs of Persons with Mental Health Challenges and Substance Use Disorder established. Resolved: That the Study Commission to Assess Housing Needs of Persons with Mental Health Challenges and Substance Use Disorder, referred to in this resolve as "the study commission," is established.

Sec. 2. Study commission membership. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the study commission consists of 9 members as follows:

1. One member of the Senate who is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services, appointed by the President of the Senate;

2. One member of the House of Representatives who is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

3. A representative of the Consumer Council System of Maine, appointed by the President of the Senate from a list of members submitted by the Consumer Council System of Maine;

4. A representative of Homeless Voices for Justice, appointed by the Speaker of the House from a list of advocates submitted by Homeless Voices for Justice;

5. A representative of Disability Rights Maine, appointed by the President of the Senate from a list of members submitted by Disability Rights Maine;

6. A representative of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, appointed by the Speaker of the House from a list of advocates submitted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness;

7. A representative of the Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services, Maine appointed by the Speaker of the House from a list of advocates submitted by the Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services, Maine; and

8. Two employees of the Department of Health and Human Services, one from the office of substance abuse and mental health services and one from Riverview Psychiatric Center, both appointed by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services.

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the Senate member is the Senate chair and the House of Representatives member is the House chair of the study commission.

Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of study commission. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been completed. After appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the study commission. If 30 days or more after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the study commission to meet and conduct its business.

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the study commission shall assess the housing needs of persons who are living with mental health challenges and who have substance use disorder. The study commission shall focus on the needs of such individuals in rural areas of the State. The study commission shall explore methods of expanding the options and availability of housing for such individuals, including options that support the unique housing needs of such individuals.

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the study commission, except that Legislative Council staff support is not authorized when the Legislature is in regular or special session.

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, no later than January 15, 2020, the study commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.

summary

This resolve establishes the Study Commission to Assess Housing Needs of Persons with Mental Health Challenges and Substance Use Disorder and requires the study commission to assess the housing needs of persons who are living with mental health challenges and who have substance use disorder, with a focus on the needs of such individuals located in rural Maine. The study commission is required to explore methods of expanding the options and availability of housing for such individuals, including options that support the unique housing needs of such individuals, and report its findings and recommendations to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.