APPROVED CHAPTER
MARCH 28, 2024 158
BY GOVERNOR RESOLVES
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR
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H.P. 268 - L.D. 435
Resolve, to Require the Department of Health and Human Services to Report
on Children's Residential Treatment Services and Implementation of the
Department's Strategic Priorities for Children's Behavioral Health Services
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, children continue to wait for behavioral health care services within the
State; and
Whereas, many children are receiving behavioral health care services outside the
State; and
Whereas, Maine needs solutions to this problem immediately to address waiting lists
and ensure that the State is in compliance with federal requirements; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
therefore, be it
Sec. 1. Department of Health and Human Services to study children's
residential treatment services. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human
Services, referred to in this resolve as "the department," shall review the relevant data and
conduct an analysis of the capacity, occupancy and availability of and access to children's
residential treatment services within the State, as well as the residential treatment services
located outside of the State that are being provided to children who normally reside in this
State.
Sec. 2. Report on children's residential treatment services and
implementation of strategic priorities for children's behavioral health services
developed by Department of Health and Human Services. Resolved: That, by
January 2, 2025, the department shall submit to the joint standing committee of the
Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters a report consisting
of:
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 1. A summary of the data and results of the analysis of children's residential treatment
services as directed by section 1;
2. A summary of the department's progress in implementing the strategic priorities
developed in 2019 to implement the children's behavioral health services plan for Maine
developed by the department's Office of Child and Family Services; and
3. A summary of the department's current priorities to ensure the availability, quality
and consistency of and access to behavioral health care services for children.
The joint standing committee may report out legislation related to the report to the
132nd Legislature in 2025.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
takes effect when approved.
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