‘Resolve, To Create a Working Group To Examine Extreme Risk Protection Orders Regarding Individuals Who Pose a Serious Threat to Themselves or Others as Well as Other Proposals To Improve School Safety’

‘Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  this resolve requires the establishment of a working group to examine the use of extreme risk protection orders regarding individuals who pose a serious threat to themselves or others, as well as other proposals to improve school safety; and

Whereas,  the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to the next legislative session; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Working group to examine extreme risk protection orders and other proposals to improve school safety. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Education and the Commissioner of Public Safety shall jointly convene a working group to examine the use of extreme risk protection orders regarding individuals who pose a serious threat to themselves or others, as well as other proposals to improve school safety. The commissioners shall include at least the following in the working group:

1. A representative of a statewide gun rights group;

2. A representative of a statewide gun violence prevention group;

3. A representative of a statewide sportsman's organization;

4. A representative of a statewide organization of parents of children in schools;

5. A representative of a statewide organization dedicated to preventing domestic violence;

6. A representative of a statewide mental health organization;

7. A law enforcement officer; and

8. A constitutional law expert.

The commissioners shall invite the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court to appoint a representative of the judicial branch to participate as a member of the working group.

Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Education and the Commissioner of Public Safety shall present the findings and recommendations of the working group convened pursuant to section 1 to the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary by January 1, 2020. Following receipt of the report, the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary may submit legislation relating to the recommendations of the working group to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.’