Sec. 4. Appointments; meetings. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than October 1, 2001. The Executive Director of the Legislative Council must be notified by all appointing authorities once the selections have been made. When the appointment of all members has been completed, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission no later than November 1, 2001; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall develop a comprehensive state plan designed to respond, both immediately and over the next decade, to the critical lack of access to oral health services for all residents of the State, particularly low- income children and adults and elderly citizens. The commission shall consider the impact of initiatives that are already underway to address this goal as well as any additional changes in policy and programs that would allow all citizens of the State access to appropriate oral health services. The commission shall consider, at a minimum, the use of public or private nonprofit dental clinics to expand access to oral health services; methods of recruiting new dentists to the State and encouraging the State's young people to consider a career in oral health services; educational and other strategies that focus on prevention; expanding the scope of practice of dental hygienists; establishing expanded roles for schools and nursing homes in the delivery of oral health services; alternative delivery mechanisms for oral health services, particularly in rural areas and to special populations; and the expansion of Medicaid coverage for oral health services to adults. In making its recommendations, the commission shall give particular consideration to any methods of increasing access that would take advantage of any available federal funds to meet the oral health services needs of low- income citizens; 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 members of the commission who are Legislators 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. Other members of the commission who are not otherwise compensated by

their employers or other entities that they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings; and be it further

Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That the commission shall submit its report, together with any necessary implementing legislation, to the First Regular Session of the 121st Legislature not later than June 1, 2003. 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 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.

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

SUMMARY

This resolve establishes the Commission to Respond to the Crisis in Access to Oral Health Services for Residents of the State to investigate the developing difficulties of access to oral health services. The commission is charged with developing a coordinated and comprehensive long-term plan to prepare the State to respond to this critical issue.