This bill amends several provisions related to the licensing and regulation of various medical and social service entities by the Department of Health and Human Services. Part A of the bill amends provisions related to the issuance of conditional licenses to applicants seeking licensure for a personal care agency; a facility for children and adults under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, chapter 1663; the provision of mental health services; and an agency that provides services to adults with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, a related condition or an acquired brain injury. Part A also amends the law governing licensure for the provision of mental health services to require the
41 department to monitor for compliance every 2 years, rather than once a year, regardless of
42 the license term. Part A of the bill also updates terms related to the licensing of health care facilities under Title 22, chapter 405; expands the definition of "facility" under Title 22, Subtitle 6, which concerns facilities for children and adults; clarifies the definition of "independent housing with services program" under the laws governing assisted housing facilities; and removes the requirement that the department must approve any employee assistance program for substance use. Part B of the bill amends the law governing health care facility reporting of sentinel events by clarifying which health care facilities are required to comply with sentinel event reporting requirements; expanding the types of events that must be reported as sentinel events; removing the requirement to report a so-called near miss where a sentinel event almost occurred; and making other changes and clarifications with respect to the reporting and review process. Part C of the bill amends the provisions of law governing the Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants and Direct Care Workers to resolve conflicts created by the concurrent passage of Public Law 2023, chapter 241 and Public Law 2023, chapter 309.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 1961, SP 768: 22.1717, 22.1813, 22.7701, 22.7802, 22.7852, 26.683, 34-B.1203, 22.8752, 22.8753, 22.8754, 22.8755, 22.1812