AUGUSTA - On Tuesday, Gov. Janet Mills signed legislation sponsored by Rep. Anne Graham, D-North Yarmouth, that will protect children and individuals with intellectual disabilities receiving behavioral health services.
LD 1003 will direct the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to convene a stakeholder group to develop a policy that would require residential behavioral health providers serving children or individuals with intellectual disabilities to obtain written approval from DHHS before terminating or refusing to deliver care.
"With this new law, we will finally begin to address the crisis plaguing hospitals across the state is leaving too many children experiencing behavioral health issues to languish for days, if not longer, in emergency rooms," said Graham. "Without adequate care alternatives, these vulnerable Mainers have nowhere to turn. This is a critical step towards getting Maine kids the help they need and making sure our emergency rooms are free for other uses."
Under the law, DHHS will be required to examine data about why providers terminate or refuse referrals for services and determine barriers to accepting individuals for treatment. The department must report its findings to the Legislature no later than Jan. 2, 2024.
In early 2023, the DHHS Office of Child and Family Services issued its 2022 Children's Behavioral Health Services Annual Report, which found that 861 youth had extended stays in emergency departments between January and October of 2022. On average, those who met the criteria for psychiatric inpatient care stayed in the emergency room for seven days, while those who did not stayed just three days.
As an emergency measure, the law went into effect immediately after it was signed by the governor.
Rep. Anne Graham is serving her third non-consecutive term in the Maine House of Representatives and is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services. She represents the community members of North Yarmouth and Gray.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Graham], c. 305-965-2744