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LD 1946

An Act To Clarify The Eligibility Of Certified Recovery Residences For Bridging Rental Assistance Program Housing Vouchers

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sally Cluchey and 7 co-sponsors

Clarifies that certified recovery residences are eligible for BRAP housing vouchers, with DHHS implementing the rules so residents can access housing assistance.

Became Law without Governor's Signature
#assistance #housing #recoveryresidences
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Bill Summary · LD 1946

Summary — LD 1946

An Act To Clarify The Eligibility Of Certified Recovery Residences For Bridging Rental Assistance Program Housing Vouchers

Purpose

LD 1946 is intended to clarify the eligibility status of certified recovery residences under Maine’s Bridging Rental Assistance Program (BRAP), ensuring those residences are explicitly recognized in statute as eligible for housing vouchers administered under the program.

Key provisions

  • Clarifies statutory language governing the Bridging Rental Assistance Program so that certified recovery residences are treated as eligible entities for BRAP housing vouchers.
  • The bill was enacted with Committee Amendment “A” (H-644); that amendment was adopted by the Legislature prior to final passage. (The engrossed, amended version is the enacted text.)
  • Implementation and administration of the clarified eligibility remain with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

(Note: The bill text itself is not included here; the summary reflects the bill title and legislative actions indicating a clarification of eligibility for certified recovery residences.)

Who is affected

  • Certified recovery residences: These facilities are explicitly addressed by the statute change and are the primary beneficiaries of the clarification.
  • Residents of certified recovery residences and individuals in recovery seeking housing assistance: They could gain clearer access to BRAP vouchers through their residence.
  • Department of Health and Human Services: Responsible for administering BRAP vouchers and implementing the clarified eligibility rules.
  • BRAP program partners and voucher administrators: May need to update policies, forms, or guidance to reflect the clarified eligibility.

Fiscal impact

  • Fiscal notes for both the committee-amended and engrossed versions indicate a minor General Fund cost increase.
  • DHHS is expected to absorb any additional costs within existing budgeted resources; no significant new appropriation is required.

Legislative history & timeline

  • Introduced: May 7, 2025; referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.
  • Committee: Work session held May 21, 2025; reported Out Ought to Pass as Amended (OTP‑AM).
  • Floor action: Committee Amendment “A” (H‑644) adopted; bill passed to be enacted on June 11, 2025.
  • Enactment: Became law without the Governor’s signature on June 25, 2025.

Implementation / Next steps

  • DHHS will incorporate the clarified eligibility into BRAP administration (guidance, application processing, and voucher issuance).
  • Certified recovery residences and BRAP administrators should review program materials and applications for alignment with the clarified statutory language.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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