Executive Order 3: An Order Governing the Work of the Maine Justice Assistance Council

WHEREAS, the Justice Assistance Act of 1984 created the Justice Assistance Grant program and encouraged each state to establish a broad-based policy board to serve as a forum for communication and coordination in the development of a statewide justice assistance strategy; and

WHEREAS, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 and the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (collectively, “the federal Acts”), similarly require statewide planning and coordination; and

WHEREAS, the Maine Legislature periodically establishes new criminal justice programs that serve similar and complementary functions to the Federal Acts; and

WHEREAS, Governor Angus S. King established the Maine Justice Assistance Council by Executive Order on May 22, 1997, to fulfill the purposes of the federal Acts and provide for coordination with state criminal justice programs;

WHEREAS, it is necessary and appropriate to revise that Executive Order now to account for statutory changes and reflect current priorities;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, pursuant to Me. Const. Art. V, Pt. 1, § 12, do hereby Order as follows:

Purpose

The Maine Justice Assistance Council (“the Council”) shall operate as a policy board to fulfill the State’s responsibilities pursuant to the federal Acts, and grants the State receives thereunder, and to provide coordination with similar state programs focused on improving the criminal justice system.

1. Membership

The Council shall consist of the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety or designee; the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections or designee; the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court or designee; the Attorney General or designee; the Director of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy; the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine or designee; the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services or designee; Director of the Office of Behavior Health or designee; Director of the Office of Child and Family Services Violence Prevention Program or designee; and the Chair of the Maine Commission on Domestic and Sexual Abuse or designee.

In addition, I will appoint the following members to the Council: a sheriff, two police chiefs, a district attorney, a representative of a state law enforcement agency, a representative of a statewide coalition of domestic violence projects, a representative of a statewide coalition of sexual assault centers, a representative of a statewide alliance of community behavioral health organizations, and a lay citizen of Maine.

2. Terms of Membership

Members of the Council requiring appointment shall be appointed for terms of three years or until a successor is appointed and shall be eligible for reappointment.

3. Chair

The Chair of the Council shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governor for a term of three years or until a successor is appointed and shall be eligible for reappointment.

4. Functions and Duties

1. The Council shall be responsible for:
   1. Establishing policies and priorities and presenting funding recommendations with regard to the federal Acts and grants the State receives thereunder;
   2. Providing coordination with state programs focused on improving the criminal justice system;
   3. Promoting effective communication among state and federal officials.
2. The Department of Public Safety is designated as the State Office responsible for:
   1. Preparing applications to obtain grants under the federal Acts to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system;
   2. Administering funds received in grants under the federal Acts, including preparing and filing grant adjustments, and performing required accounting, auditing, and disbursement services;
   3. Issuing requests for proposals and information as appropriate to carry out the State’s work under the federal Acts and similar state programs focused on improving the criminal justice system; and
   4. Providing staff support to the Council.

5. Meetings

The Council shall meet at the call of the Chair.

6. Compensation

The Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety may reimburse the travel expenses of Council members incurred in attending Council meetings from grant funds received under the federal Acts and eligible to support the work of the Council.

7. Effect on Prior Order

This Order supersedes Executive Order 6 FY 96/97, dated May 22, 1997.

8. Effective Date

This Executive Order is effective upon signature.