CHAPTER 121
H.P. 370 - L.D. 472
Sec. 1. Commission on Fatherhood Issues established. Resolved: That the Commission on Fatherhood Issues, referred to in this resolve as the "commission," is established; and be it further
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of the following 9 members:
1. Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, one of whom is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary and one of whom is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services;
2. Three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, at least one of whom is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary and at least one of whom is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services;
3. Two public members appointed by the President of the Senate; and
4. Two public members appointed by the Speaker of the House; and be it further
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first named Senate member is the Senate chair of the commission and the first named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the commission; and be it further
Sec. 4. Appointments; meetings. Resolved: That 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 the appointing authorities once the selections have been made. When the appointment of all members has been completed, the chairs of the commission shall convene the first meeting of the commission no later than August 21, 2002. The chairs of the commission shall call no more than 4 meetings; and be it further
Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall study issues associated with being a father in the State.
1. In conducting the study, the commission shall:
A. Determine the multiple barriers to fathers' involvement in the lives of their children;
B. Identify the availability of private and public services statewide to enhance the parenting abilities of fathers;
C. Identify significant personal, institutional, legal and cultural barriers to active, positive parenting by fathers; and
D. Identify and develop strategies to improve the parenting abilities of fathers across the socioeconomic spectrum and varying resident status; and be it further
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That, upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further
Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: That the legislative members of the commission 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. Public members not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities whom they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses; and be it further
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That the commission shall submit its report, together with any necessary implementing legislation, no later than November 6, 2002. The commission is authorized to introduce legislation related to its report to the First Regular Session of the 121st Legislature. 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; and be it further
Sec. 9. Budget. Resolved: That the chairs of the commission, with assistance from the commission 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's 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; and be it further
Sec. 10. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following appropriations and allocations are made.
LEGISLATURE
Commission on Fatherhood Issues
Initiative: Provides funds for the per diem and expenses of legislative members and the reimbursement of necessary expenses of public members of the Commission on Fatherhood Issues, as well as printing and mailing costs.
General Fund 2001-02 2002-03
Personal Services $0 $1,100
All Other 0 2,600
General Fund Total $0 $3,700
Effective July 25, 2002, unless otherwise indicated.
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