Resolve, To Mitigate the Increasing Waiting List for Services under the MaineCare Section 21 Waiver Program

Sec. 1. Pilot project. Resolved: That, beginning January 1, 2020 and ending December 1, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services shall establish a pilot project to provide housing to adults with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorder who are on the waiting list for home and community-based benefits provided under the department's rule Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter II, Section 21, Home and Community Benefits for Members with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder. The pilot project must be modeled on a program operated in the Town of Kittery by the nonprofit corporation A House for ME. The pilot project must provide housing to 2 to 3 residents in each home and, with the assistance of community volunteers, assist those residents in becoming active, contributing members of the community. Housing provided under the pilot project must be staffed by a volunteer resident companion who lives at the house rent-free and is employed outside of the house.

Sec. 2. Funding. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services may receive funds from any public or private source for the purposes for which the pilot project under section 1 has been established.

Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That, by December 1, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services shall submit a written report on the results of the pilot project under section 1, including findings and recommendations, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters. The joint standing committee may submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 130th Legislature relating to the subject matter of the report.

summary

This resolve establishes a 2-year pilot project to provide housing to adults with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorder who are on the waiting list for home and community-based benefits provided under the Department of Health and Human Services rule Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter II, Section 21. The pilot project must be modeled on a program operated in the Town of Kittery by A House for ME and must provide housing to 2 to 3 residents in each home and, with the assistance of community volunteers, assist those residents in becoming active, contributing members of the community.