Maine Revised Statutes Title 5. Administrative Procedures and Services § 1641. Legislative findings and intent

The Legislature finds that the many social service needs of the citizens of this State are varied and often complex. State Government agencies have been organized to provide the most efficient delivery system possible to meet these social service needs. The Legislature recognizes that any governmental structure requires a coordinated and cooperative effort on the part of the various state agencies to ensure that the social services programs of the State adequately meet the social services needs of the citizens and to avoid needless duplication of effort on the part of these agencies.

The Legislature further finds that, because of the complexity of the social service needs of the citizens and the multiplicity of funding sources available to meet those needs, it is difficult to gain a complete understanding of the overall scope of the social service system and of the specific programs within that system. Without this understanding, the legislative and executive branches of government are hindered in their efforts to provide a coordinated social services program.

It is the intent of this chapter to make available the necessary factual and fiscal information that will assist the Governor, the executive agencies, the Legislature, the recipients of social services, the providers of social services and the general public in reviewing and evaluating the overall scope of the social services system in this State and in participating on an informed basis in developing public policy concerning the social services needs of our citizens.