Bill > S169

This bill aims to improve health care quality for children and youth in the custody of the Department of Youth Services by making two key changes to existing law. First, it requires that physical and mental health services provided to youth in custody meet or exceed current pediatric community level standards, as defined by organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics. These standards include preventative health care, health promotion, and ensuring continuity of health care both before and after a youth is released from the department's custody. Second, the bill adds a new responsibility for the Department of Youth Services to monitor and enforce physical and mental health care contracts, with the specific goal of improving medical care access and quality for children under the department's care. By adding these provisions, the bill seeks to ensure that youth in the custody of the Department of Youth Services receive comprehensive, high-quality health care that is comparable to what they would receive in their home communities.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S169