APPROVED CHAPTER
JUNE 11, 2021 50
BY GOVERNOR RESOLVES
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-ONE
_____
H.P. 1208 - L.D. 1624
Resolve, To Create a Stakeholder Group To Identify the Needs of Long-term
Care Family Caregivers
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, family caregivers are critical to the health of individuals receiving long-
term care assistance; and
Whereas, this resolve requires the long-term care ombudsman program to convene a
stakeholder group to consider and make recommendations for the implementation of an
assessment measure for the needs of family caregivers in the State; and
Whereas, this assessment must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order
that the work may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to the next
legislative session; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
therefore, be it
Sec. 1. Long-term care ombudsman program to establish stakeholder
group. Resolved: That the long-term care ombudsman program, established pursuant
to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 5106, subsection 11-C and referred to in
this resolve as "the long-term care ombudsman," shall establish a stakeholder group to
consider and make recommendations for the implementation of an assessment measure for
the needs of family caregivers.
Sec. 2. Stakeholder group membership. Resolved: That the long-term care
ombudsman shall invite the participation of representatives of the Department of Health
and Human Services, the area agencies on aging, service coordination agencies for
recipients of home care services, Legal Services for the Elderly, Disability Rights Maine,
the agency designated by the State to provide statewide assessments as required by the
federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, hospitals, a statewide organization
representing home care service providers and a home care service provider, as well as
Page 1 - 130LR1249(03)
family caregivers and any other interested parties, in the stakeholder group established in
section 1.
Sec. 3. Duties. Resolved: That the stakeholder group established in section 1 shall
consider and make recommendations for the implementation of an assessment measure of
the needs of family caregivers. The stakeholder group shall consider all relevant data
including data currently collected by the Department of Health and Human Services or
stakeholders relating to the needs of family caregivers and family members of individuals
receiving long-term care services at home for referrals for support services and resources,
apparent gaps in resources and information regarding family caregiver assessment services
and resources provided in other states. The stakeholder group shall also develop a plan to
implement improved referrals to services for family caregivers.
Sec. 4. Report. Resolved: That the long-term care ombudsman shall submit a
report with its findings and recommendations pursuant to section 3, along with any
recommended legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services
no later than January 2, 2022. The committee is authorized to submit legislation to the
Second Regular Session of the 130th Legislature related to the report.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
takes effect when approved.
Page 2 - 130LR1249(03)