Sec. A-1. 30-A MRSA c. 202, sub-c. 5, as amended, is repealed.
Sec. A-2. 30-A MRSA c. 202, sub-c. 5-A is enacted to read:
SUBCHAPTER 5-A
STATEWIDE HOMELESS COUNCIL
§5046. Statewide Homeless Council created
The Statewide Homeless Council, established in accordance with Title 5, chapter 379, shall serve as an advisory committee with respect to the administration and implementation of this chapter to the state authority, the Governor and the Legislature.
§5047. Membership; appointment; terms of office; chair
1. Membership; chair. The council consists of 11 members appointed as follows:
A. Six members appointed by the Governor, 2 from each of 3 regional homeless councils, based on nominations provided by the 3 regional homeless councils;
B. The Director of the Maine State Housing Authority;
C. Three members appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, one from each of 3 regional homeless councils, based on nominations provided by the 3 regional homeless councils; and
D. One member representing the Office of the Governor, who serves as the chair.
2. Term of office. Members of the council appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House serve 3-year terms amd serve at the pleasure of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House. Members of the council appointed by the Governor serve 2-year terms and serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
A. Members serve until their successors are appointed and qualified.
B. The appointing authorities shall fill a vacancy for the balance of an unexpired term in the same manner as the appointment was originally filled, except as otherwise provided.
3. Staff. The state authority shall provide staff support to the council.
The council shall advise the state authority with respect to the implementation of this chapter and the development of affordable housing. The council shall:
1. Provide leadership. Provide leadership in efforts to end homelessness and provide support to the regional homeless councils by ensuring access to senior-level government officials and the Office the Governor;
2. Educate. Develop and coordinate an education campaign regarding homelessness;
3. Serve as coordinator of information. Serve as a coordinator of information and communication among state agencies and among the state, municipal and private sectors with respect to this chapter. In carrying out this duty, the council shall:
A. Review proposed legislative changes, system changes and resource recommendations from the regional homeless councils and compile the regional reports into a single statewide report; and
B. Serve as a liaison with the federal Interagency Council on Homeless and recommend any necessary changes;
4. Assess statewide needs. With assistance from regional homeless councils, develop estimates of statewide resource needs;
5. Identify potential resources. Identify new funding opportunities through private and public sources and assist in disseminating this information to regional homeless councils along with available grant opportunities;
6. Assistance to homeless. In cooperation with the state authority, identify the resources available to and ways to increase access to services to the homeless and persons with special needs, identify the gaps in delivery services to this population and make recommendations concerning the policies and programs serving this population; and
7. Review, monitor and implement plans. On an annual basis, review and comment on plans submitted pursuant to Title 34-B, section 1221, and propose amendments and updates to and implement a plan to end homelessness.
Sec. A-3. Transition; completion of terms. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, section 5047, subsection 2, members of the Interagency Task Force on Homelessness and Housing Opportunities on the effective date of this Act continue to serve out the remainder of their terms on the Statewide Homeless Council as representatives of the regional homeless councils of which they are members.
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