Bill > LD1703

This bill establishes the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Screening and Resiliency Assessment Pilot Project in Maine, targeting public school students in Cumberland, Androscoggin, and Washington counties during the 2026-2027 school year. The project will implement voluntary, confidential screenings for adverse childhood experiences, which are traumatic events in childhood that can negatively impact long-term health and well-being, and resiliency assessments to evaluate students' ability to cope with stress and trauma in school-based health centers. Licensed clinical and master social workers will be required to undergo specialized training on ACEs, including understanding their scientific impact, best practices for screening, intervention strategies, and culturally competent approaches. The pilot project aims to identify at-risk youth, provide early intervention services, and offer resources to promote emotional and psychological well-being. The Department of Health and Human Services will collect comprehensive data throughout the project, including the number of students screened, their ACEs and resiliency scores, referral rates, and feedback from staff, parents, and students. By October 1, 2027, the department will submit a detailed report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services, which may then propose legislation based on the project's findings and recommendations for potential statewide implementation.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1703&snum=132