Bill > LD1866

This bill establishes a new section of Maine law that formalizes the state's commitment to protecting the rights of individuals with serious mental illness. The legislation requires the state department of mental health to contract with an independent advocacy agency (designated under existing state law) to provide comprehensive advocacy services statewide. The bill specifies that this agency must have a presence in at least 5 geographically diverse areas and be funded through sufficient appropriations. The agency will be granted expanded access to medical records of individuals hospitalized in state mental health institutes to effectively perform advocacy services, with the goal of continuing protections originally established through a previous mental health institute consent decree. The bill explicitly states that these advocates are prohibited from providing medical advice, focusing instead on protecting patients' rights. The legislative intent emphasizes the importance of independent advocacy in supporting and protecting individuals with serious mental illness in both institutional and community settings, building on previous systemic improvements in mental health care.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1866&snum=132