Bill > LD791

Introduced Session

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to reimburse hospitals for children who are eligible under the MaineCare program and who are in hospital emergency rooms awaiting placement in a children's residential care facility at the same rate as would be provided to a children's residential care facility. The bill requires the department to develop 3 crisis centers for children and adolescents with high levels of behavioral health needs and awaiting placement in a residential facility or community service. The bill requires the department to enter into an agreement with a vendor to provide a psychiatric residential treatment facility by April 1, 2025 or develop a facility owned and operated directly by the department. The bill requires the department to provide monthly data to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters on the number of children who are in a hospital emergency room awaiting placement. The report must also include the number of children under 12 years of age, the number of children who have come from another residential setting or hospital, the number of children who are experiencing homelessness and the services the children are waiting for. The bill also requires the department to provide to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters the de-identified data provided to the independent reviewer to settle the lawsuit filed by the United States Department of Justice no later than 30 days after that data is provided to the reviewer.

Committee Categories

Joe Baldacci (D)*, 

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) (on 05/14/2025)

Official Document