PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
An Act Regarding the Recommendations of the Federal Traumatic Brain Injury State Partnership Program Concerning the Membership of the Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Council
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 34-B MRSA §19001, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 239, §2, is amended to read:
 
4. Membership.   The commissioner shall appoint 1625 persons to serve as members of the council and shall annually appoint one person to serve as chair. Members serve 2-year terms. Members must represent the following persons and interests:
 
A. TwoFive members with acquired brain injuries must represent persons with acquired brain injuries;
 
B. TwoFive members must represent families of persons with acquired brain injuries;
 
C. Two members must represent advocates for persons with acquired brain injuries;
 
D. Five members must represent providers of services to persons with acquired brain injuries; and
 
E. Five members must represent state agencies with expertise in the areas of education, employment, prevention of brain injuries, homelessness, corrections and services to veterans. Members of the council who represent state agencies serve ex officio, without the right to vote, and shall provide data, information and expertise to the council.;
 
F.  One member must represent an aging and disability resource center;
 
G.  One member must represent a center for independent living; and
 
H.  One member must be the long-term care ombudsman under Title 22, section 5107-A or a representative of the long-term care ombudsman.
 
SUMMARY
This bill expands the membership of the Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Council who are persons with acquired brain injury or family caregivers to 50% of the voting membership of the council and adds representatives from the long-term care ombudsman program, an aging and disability resource center and a center for independent living.