Task Force to Study the Implementation of Alternative Programs and Interventions for Violent and Chronically Disruptive Students
Legislation
STATE OF MAINE
Senate Paper # 0598
ORDERED, the HOUSE concurring, that the Task Force to Study the Implementation of Alternative Programs and Interventions for Violent and Chronically Disruptive Students is established as follows.
1. Task force established. Task Force to Study the Implementation of Alternative Programs and Interventions for Violent and Chronically Disruptive Students, referred to in this order as the “task force,” is established.
2. Task force membership. The task force consists of 9 members appointed as follows.
A. The President of the Senate shall appoint three members from the Senate: one member who serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, one member who serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and one member who serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.
B. The President of the Senate shall appoint 3 public members to the task force, including one member from each of the following interested parties:
(1) One person who is currently employed at a public school in the State who has specific expertise, knowledge, background and oversight of violence prevention and intervention programs and alternative education settings;
(2) One person who is currently contracted as a human services or mental health professional in a local or regional school-linked, community-based partnership who has specific expertise, knowledge, background and oversight of violence prevention and intervention programs and alternative community placements; and
(3) One person who is currently involved as a public school student in a school-based peer mediation team or civil rights team with specific knowledge of and background in violence prevention and intervention programs, including conflict resolution education.
C. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint 3 members from the House of Representatives: one member who serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, one member who serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and one member who serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.
3. Chairs. The first Senate member named is the Senate chair and the first House member named is the House chair.
4. Appointments; convening task force. All appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this order. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council upon making their appointments. When the appointment of all members is complete, the chairs of the task force shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force no later than June 15, 1999.
5. Duties. The task force shall:
A. Study the availability of a continuum of interventions for violent and chronically disruptive students including, the existence of positive behavioral supports in classrooms, the availability of alternative educational settings for disruptive students, and alternative community placements;
B. Recommend a plan and strategies to develop an appropriate continuum of interventions for violent and chronically disruptive students;
C. Request, as appropriate, the assistance of the Department of Education, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, the Department of Corrections, the Department of the Attorney General, the Chief Judge of the District Court, the Department of Public Safety, the University of Maine System and other appropriate state agencies and educational institutions;
D. Invite the participation of experts and interested parties, including individuals affiliated with: the Children’s Cabinet’s Communities for Children Initiatives; the Children’s Mental Health Oversight Committee; the Juvenile Justice Advisory Group; the Maine Chiefs of Police Association; the Maine Sheriff’s Association; Drug Abuse Resistance Education Programs (DARE); Youth Alternatives, Incorporated; the Maine Council of Churches; the Excellence in Citizen Education Through the Law Program (EXCEL) and the Peace Studies Program at the University of Maine; and
E. Recommend draft legislation to create an appropriate continuum of interventions for violent and chronically disruptive students, including the availability of alternative educational settings and alternative community placements for violent and chronically disruptive students.
6. Staff assistance. Upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and legal Analysis shall provide necessary staffing services to the task force.
7. Expenses. Legislative members of the task force are entitled to receive the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement of necessary expenses for their attendance at authorized meetings of the task force. Public members who are not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses and a per diem equal to the legislative per diem for their attendance at authorized meetings of the task force.
8. Report. The task force shall submit a report on the plan developed along with any recommended legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs no later than December 15, 1999. The committee has authority to introduce legislation during the Second Regular Session of the 119th Legislature. If the task force requires an extension of time to make its report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension.
9. Task force budget. The chairs of the task force, with assistance from the task force staff, shall administer the task force’s budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the task force shall present a work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for its approval. The task force may not incur expenses that would result in the task force exceeding its approved budget.
Upon request from the task force, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council or the Executive Director's designee shall provide the task force chairs and staff with a status report on the study budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds.
SPONSORED BY: SEN. CATHCART of Orono