Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §5106, sub-§11-D is enacted to read:

11-D.__Senior volunteer program.__Support and maintain senior volunteer programs by agreement with community-based agencies.__ For fiscal year 1999-00 and subsequent years, funding available for senior volunteer programs must be distributed equally among the agencies that received funding during fiscal year 1997-98, or their successor organizations.__The community-based agencies include:__Aroostook Area Agency on Aging, Coastal Community Action Program, Healthreach Network, Penquis Community Action Program, People's Regional Opportunity Program, Southern Maine Agency on Aging, United Way of Eastern Maine and the University of Maine System or any successor organization of any of these agencies.__Each agency must receive at least $15,000 annually to support senior volunteer programs;

SUMMARY

This bill requires the Department of Human Services to provide a minimum of $15,000 annually to each of the 8 community-based senior volunteer programs that received funding during fiscal year 1997-98. It also requires that available funding be distributed equally among the programs.