APPROVED CHAPTER
JUNE 17, 2025 330
BY GOVERNOR PUBLIC LAW
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE
_____
H.P. 575 - L.D. 889
An Act to Clarify the Release of Information by the Department of Health
and Human Services in the Law Regarding Automatic Referrals
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, individuals who are eligible to enroll in certain state programs will be
referred to other programs for which they are eligible through an automatic referral project
created by Public Law 2023, chapter 412; and
Whereas, individuals must be able to opt out of information sharing, and establishing
that ability requires a statutory change; and
Whereas, the Department of Health and Human Services and other state agencies,
quasi-state agencies and other entities are currently developing and implementing the
project, and this legislation must take effect immediately to avoid any delays; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3110, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VV, §1, is
amended to read:
2. Authorization required. Before providing any information pursuant to this
section, the department must receive express authorization from the recipient of assistance
agreeing to the release of that information in accordance with federal and state law this
section. The department shall develop a simplified process to give the recipient of
assistance the choice to opt out of authorizing the a release of information pursuant to this
section at the time of application or recertification for assistance under this subtitle or at
another time of the individual's choice.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
takes effect when approved.
Page 1 - 132LR1895(03)


Statutes affected:
Bill Text ACTPUB , Chapter 330: 22.3110