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PUBLIC LAWS OF MAINE
Second Regular Session of the 118th

PART XX

     Sec. XX-1. 30-A MRSA §5044, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 601, Pt. B, §4, is amended to read:

     4. 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; and

     Sec. XX-2. 30-A MRSA §5044, sub-§5, as amended by PL 1991, c. 610, §19, is further amended to read:

     5. Assistance to homeless. In cooperation with the state authority, identify the resources available 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

     Sec. XX-3. 30-A MRSA §5044, sub-§6 is enacted to read:

     6. Review and monitor plans. Review and comment on plans submitted pursuant to Title 34-B, section 1221. The interagency task force must notify the Maine State Housing Authority and the Depart-

     ment of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services that those plans have been submitted and provide to that department a copy of the plans and the interagency task force's comments on the plans. The interagency task force shall monitor the implementation of the plans and report its findings to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters by January 1st of each year. The report may include any legislation the interagency task force recommends.

     Sec. XX-4. 34-B MRSA §1221 is enacted to read:

§1221. Plans for the homeless

     The regional housing coordinator for each region shall convene a working group annually to develop a plan that states how mental health or substance abuse services needed by individuals using homeless shelters will be provided. Each working group shall submit a plan annually to the local quality improvement council established pursuant to section 3607. The local quality improvement council shall review the plan and submit it, with any suggested changes, to the Interagency Task Force on Homelessness and Housing Opportunities, established pursuant to Title 30-A, section 5041.

     1. Working group. The working group in each region consists of the following members:

     2. Plan contents. Each plan must be designed to meet local needs and must include, but is not limited to, the following components:

     Sec. XX-5. Study and report on the problems of homeless youth. The Interagency Task Force on Homelessness and Housing Opportunities shall prepare a report examining the causes of homelessness among youth and young adults, existing efforts to address those causes, the strengths and weaknesses of the current homeless shelter system, anticipated needs of youth and young adults and conditions in the shelters and any recommended legislation. The interagency task force shall submit its report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters in the First Regular Session of the 119th Legislature.

     Sec. XX-6. Training. The Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, in conjunction with the Maine State Housing Authority, shall provide training for homeless shelter staff to help them understand and recognize people who may have mental illness or substance abuse problems. The Maine State Housing Authority, in conjunction with the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, shall provide training for providers of mental health and substance abuse services to help them understand the problems of those who are homeless.

     Sec. XX-7. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Part.

1998-99

MAINE STATE HOUSING AUTHORITY

Housing Opportunities for Maine Fund

Provides funds to expand the shelter operating subsidy program from $500,000 to $1,000,000 annually. Fifteen percent of these funds must be designated for shelter services to homeless youth and young adults.

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